Keep Tryin'.

When you're feelin' blue as ink
    An' your spirits 'gin to sink,
Don't be weak an' take a drink
    But
    Keep Tryin'.

There are times when all of us
    Get riled up and start a muss,
But there ain't no use to cuss,
    Just
    Keep Tryin'.

When things seem to go awry,
    And the sun deserts your sky,
Don't sit down somewhere and cry,
    But
    Keep Tryin'.

Everybody honors grit,
    Men who never whine a bit--
Men who tell the world, "I'm IT"
    And
    Keep Tryin'.

Get a hustle on you NOW,
    Make a great, big solemn vow
That you'll win out anyhow,
    And
    Keep Tryin'.

All the world's a battlefield
    Where the true man is revealed,
But the ones who never yield
    Keep Tryin'.

Edwin C. Ranck

Edwin C. Ranck was an American lyricist noted for his work in the early 20th century. He was a prolific writer and his lyrics were often characterized by their humor and wit. One of his standout works is the poem 'The Optimist', which reflects his positive outlook on life. Beyond that, little is known about his personal life or career. He remains a somewhat obscure figure in literary history.

Edwin C. Ranck

Oh Scissors!

Edwin C. Ranck, Simple Poetry

The Rubaiyat Of A Kentuckian.

Edwin C. Ranck, Simple Poetry

If I Could Fly.

Edwin C. Ranck, Simple Poetry

Take Up The Household Burden.

Edwin C. Ranck, Simple Poetry

Pidgin

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Grit.

I hate the fellow who sits around
    And knocks the livelong day--
Who tells of the work he might have done;
    If things had come his way.
But I love the fellow who pushes ahead
    And smiles at his work or play--
You can wager when things do come around,
    They will come his way--and stay.

Edwin C. Ranck

The Prospector

Where the ragged, snow-capped saw tooth
    Cuts the azure of the sky
And watches o'er the lonely land
    As ages wander by;
Where the sentinel pines in grandeur
    Murmur to the glacier stream
As it, ice-gorged, gluts the canyon,
    Never brightened by the gleam
Of sun at brightest noon day,
    Nor moon of Arctic night,
And whose only link with Heaven
    Is the fitful Northern Light.
Where the Whistler shrills in triumph
    And the Big Horn dreams in peace,
Where the Brown Bear skulks to cover
    Up where silence holds the lease;
Where the land is as God left it
    Nor has known the tread of man,
There's a treasure ledge a-waiting--
    Go and find it if you can.

If your heart be steeled to triumph
    Nor beats less at ...

Pat O'Cotter

Try Again.

Look around and see the great men
Who have risen from the poor
Some are judges, some are statesmen,
Ther's a chance for you I'm sure.
Don't give in because you're weary,
Pleasure oft is bought by pain;
If unlucky, still be cheery,
Up and at it! try again.

John Hartley

Trying

The dream of the white man ever goes out
    To the fight that can never be won,
And ever he plans to do the things
    That they say can never be done.
It's seldom he values the things that are
    What he craves he may never gain,
Yet ever he tries, till the day he dies
    And then feels he has lived in vain.

He climbs to the top of the highest hills
    To search out the vales afar;
He bedrocks a hole on the deepest creeks
    He hitches his cart to a star.
He's ever the first in the far stampede
    As he chases the rainbow's blend,
But it's not the need, and it's not the greed,
    It's the wanting to win in the end.

And whether he strives in the lofty range
    Or tries in the crowded mart,
The longing to do what has never been don...

Pat O'Cotter

Thick-headed Thoughts

No. I

Ive something of the bull-dog in my breed,
The spaniel is developed somewhat less;
While life is in me I can fight and bleed,
But never the chastising hand caress.
You say the stroke was well intended. True.
You mention It was meant to do me good.
That may be. You deserve it. Granted, too.
Then take it kindly. No, I never could.

-    -    -    -    -    -

How many a resolution to amend
Is made, and broken, as the years run round!
And how can others on your word depend,
When faithless to ourselves were often found?
Ive often swore, Henceforward Ill reform,
And bid my vices, follies, all take wing.
To keep my promise, mid temptations storm,
Ive always found was quite another thing.

-    -    -...

Adam Lindsay Gordon

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<...

Robert William Service