Historic Sheet Music Collection

Authors

Harry Clifton

Document Type

Score

Publication Date

1869

Comments

Pulling Hard against the Stream

Hitchcock’s Dime Series of Select Music for the Million.

By Harry Clifton.

New York: Benjamin W. Hitchcock (1869)

Some of these resources may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials should be seen in the context of the time period and as a reflection of attitudes of the time. The items are part of the historical record, and do not represent the views of the library or the institution.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
In the world I’ve gained my knowledge,
And for it have had to pay;
Though I never went to college,
Yet I’ve heard that poets say,
Life is like a mighty river,
Rolling on from day to day,
Men are vessels launch’d upon it,
Sometimes wreck’d and cast away.
So then

[Chorus]
Do your best for one another,
Making life a pleasant dream,
Help a worn and weary brother,
Pulling hard against the stream.

[Verse 2]
Many a bright good-hearted fellow,
Many a noble-minded man,
Finds himself in water shallow:
Then assist him if you can.
Some succeed at every turning,
Fortune favors every scheme;
Other, too, though more deserving,
Have to pull against the stream:
So then

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
If the wind is in your favor,
And you’ve weather’d every squall,
Think of those who luckless labor,
Never get fair winds at all:
Working hard, contented, willing,
Not a friend, and not a shilling,
Pulling hard against the tide:
So then

[Chorus]

[Verse 4]
Don’t give way to foolish sorrow,
Let this keep you in good cheer,
Brighter days may come tomorrow,
If you try and persevere.
Darkest nights will have a morning,
Though the sky be overcast;
Longest lanes must have a turning,
And the tide will turn at last:
So then,

[Chorus]

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