Keep On A Fishin’

Suppose the fish don’t bite at fust,

     What be yew goin ter do?

Chuck down yewr pole, throw out yewr bait,

     An say yewr fishin threw?

Uv course yew hain’t, yewr goin tur fish,

     An fish, an fish, an wait

Until yew’ve ketched yewr basket full,

     An used up all yewr bait.

Suppose success don’t come at fust,

     What be yew goin tur do?

Throw up the sponge, an kick yewrself,

     An go tur feelin blew?

Uv course yew hain’t, yewr goin tur fish,

     An bait, an bait agin;

Bimeby success will bite yewr hook,

     An yew will pull him in.

April 26, 1895

Pub. in Boston

Courier, May 5,

    1895