A Lift On The Way
by Edwin Waugh
Come what’s the use o’ fratching lads, this life’s noan so lung,
So, if yo’n gether reawnd, aw’ll try mi hond at a song;
It may show a guiding glimmer, to some wanderer astray,
Or haply, gi’ some poor owd soul, a lift on the way.
A lift on the way, a lift on the way,
Or haply, gi’ some poor owd soul, a lift on the way.
Life’s roads full o’ ruts; it’s very slutchy and it’s dree;
An’ mony a worn-eawt limper, lies him deawn there to dee;
Then fleawndering low in’ t’ gutter, he looks reawnd wi’ dismay,
To see if aught i’ t’ world can give – A L O T W etc.
There’s some foalk ‘at mun trudge it, an’ there’s some foalk ‘at may ride,
But never mortal man con tell, what chance may betide:
Today he may be blossoming, like roses i’ May,
To-morn, he may be begging for, a L O T W etc.
Good-will it’s a jewel, where there’s little else to spare;
And a mon may help another, though his pouch may be bare:
A generous heart, like sunshine, brings good cheer in its ray,
And a friendly word can sometimes give, a L O T W etc.
Like posies that are parching in the midsummer sun,
There’s mony a poor heart faints, afore the journey be run;
Let’s lay the dust wi’ kindness, till the close of the day,
An gi’ these drooping travellers, a L O T W etc.
Oh, soft be his pillow, when he sinks deawn to his rest,
That can keep the lamp o’ charity, alive in his breast;
May pleasant feelings haunt him, as he’s dozing away,
And angels gi’ him up aboon, a L O T W etc.
Jog on my noble comrades, then, an’ – so mote it be –
That hond in hond we travel, till the day that we dee;
An’ neaw, to end my ditty lads, let’s heartily pray,
That heaven may give us everyone, a L O T W etc.