Grin

If you're up against a bruiser and you're getting knocked about —

⁠Grin.

If you're feeling pretty groggy, and you're licked beyond a doubt —

⁠Grin.

Don't let him see you're funking, let him know with every clout,

Though your face is battered to a pulp, your blooming heart is stout;

Just stand upon your pins until the beggar knocks you out —

⁠And grin.

This life's a bally battle, and the same advice holds true

⁠Of grin.

If you're up against it badly, then it's only one on you,

⁠So grin.

If the future's black as thunder, don't let people see you're blue;

Just cultivate a cast-iron smile of joy the whole day through;

If they call you "Little Sunshine," wish that they'd no troubles, too —

⁠You may — grin.

Rise up in the morning with the will that, smooth or rough,

⁠You'll grin.

Sink to sleep at midnight, and although you're feeling tough,

⁠Yet grin.

There's nothing gained by whining, and you're not that kind of stuff;

You're a fighter from away back, and you won't take a rebuff;

Your trouble is that you don't know when you have had enough —

⁠Don't give in.

If Fate should down you, just get up and take another cuff;

You may bank on it that there is no philosophy like bluff,

⁠And grin.