The Round-About Way

When a man comes to you in a roundabout way,

      To talk about some other man,

To tell you a tale that is weary and stale,

      Get rid of him as soon as you can.

For life is too short to be listening to one

      Who’s nothing but evil to say,

So shun if you can that plentiful man

      Who comes in a roundabout way.

He is the fellow who talks in your ear,

      Who doesn’t look square in your eye;

Whose voice is so low you are certain to know

      He’s telling a rascally lie.

Give ear to the man who is open and true,

      Straightforward from day unto day;

But shun if you can that plentiful man

      Who comes in a roundabout way.

                                                Joe Cone

July 10, 1900