I'VE a humble little motto br That is homely, though it's true, — br Keep a-pluggin' away. br It's a thing when I've an object br That I always try to do, — br Keep a-pluggin' away. br When you've rising storms to quell, br When opposing waters swell, br It will never fail to tell, — br Keep a-pluggin' away. br If the hills are high before br And the paths are hard to climb, br Keep a-pluggin' away. br And remember that successes br Come to him who bides his time, — br Keep a-pluggin' away. br From the greatest to the least, br None are from the rule released. br Be thou toiler, poet, priest, br Keep a-pluggin' away. br Delve away beneath the surface, br There is treasure farther down, — br Keep a-pluggin' away. br Let the rain come down in torrents, br Let the threat'ning heavens frown, br Keep a-pluggin' away. br When the clouds have rolled away, br There will come a brighter day br All your labor to repay, — br Keep a-pluggin' away. br There 'll be lots of sneers to swallow. br There'll be lots of pain to bear, — br Keep a-pluggin' away. br If you've got your eye on heaven, br Some bright day you'll wake up there, br Keep a-pluggin' away. br Perseverance still is king; br Time its sure reward will bring; br Work and wait unwearying,— br Keep a-pluggin' away.