And away from its worries stay; The present has wealth you would never suspect, If prudent you are, and wisely elect To live in the light of to-day. The things that are past did very well once; That trouble you had with your fellow man There is all the more need That you start on a different trail. Don't take to the woods whatever you do, Just look right ahead; there's a fortune for you In keeping a well-trimmed sail. So cramped can we be in our mental states, For its many outs and ins. But stop and reflect You will never be wrecked By your own or another's sins, If the past you will keep in its proper place And meet what is yours with a candid face'Tis the man of to-day who wins. NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP AUTHOR UNKNOWN [Found in the knapsack of a soldier of the Civil War after he had been slain in battle.] Near the camp-fire's flickering light, In my blanket bed I lie, Gazing through the shades of night Silent vigils seem to keep, As I breathe my childhood's prayer, Sadly sings the whip-poor-will Swells the midnight melody. In the cañon dark and deep; "I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep." 'Mid those stars one face I see One the Saviour turned away – Taught my baby lips to pray; In this lonely mountain-brake. Take me to her Saviour dear "If I should die before I wake." Meanwhile, at home, their brother Fred He was getting "book larnin'" into his head; The war broke out and Captain Fred Now, common sense was very rare, NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP AUTHOR UNKNOWN [Found in the knapsack of a soldier of the Civil War after he had been slain in battle.] Near the camp-fire's flickering light, In my blanket bed I lie, Gazing through the shades of night Silent vigils seem to keep, As I breathe my childhood's prayer, Sadly sings the whip-poor-will Swells the midnight melody. In the cañon dark and deep; "I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep." 'Mid those stars one face I see One the Saviour turned away Taught my baby lips to pray; Take me to her Saviour dear "If I should die before I wake." Fainter grows the flickering light, I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take." Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take. THE OLD SONGS AUTHOR UNKNOWN These ragtime songs they're singin' now may be the proper thing, But they don't hit me like the songs us youngsters used to sing. I never hear no ragtime songs, no matter where I roam, Kin makes the heartstrings quiver like "My Old Kentucky Home." "Lorena" was another song that all our heartstrings wrung Around at social gatherin's when us old folks was young. We'd "Wait Fer the Wagon," an' we'd tell of "Nellie Gray," |