It Couldn’t Be Done
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!
Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.
Don't Quit
by
John Greenleaf Whittier
11 comments:
Edgar Guest is one of my favorite poets. I have had my children memorize "It Couldn't Be Done" and it is stuck in our memory banks for those hard days!
Lydia,
Yet another video to keep me company! I so admire your wisdom and your attitude... Keep them coming!
My Granddad would sometimes sing a part of a song to draw attention to his boys away from their arguing. "Home On The Range" was one my dad remembered especially. Granddaddy would emphasize these words, "Where seldom is heard a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day". Lovely way to raise children, isn't it?
Sharon, I love that idea. I think I will use it. Thank you.
I get so much from your blog and videos. Here is a saying you will like from Alcoholics Anonymous: Don't quit before the miracle happens. I love that one! I have gotten my make up on and some minor repairs done while listening this morning. Another time, I got a room cleaned.
Not so much wisdom on my part as memories and example that help me along!
A take-off on that good AA statement: don’t wait for the miracle to happen!
Thank you for more encouraging words, Lady Lydia. I've been so enjoying the videos. While listening today I washed walls and baseboards, did several loads of laundry, swept the floors, dusted and did dishes! What fun it was! Truly! Thanks so much for what you do.
Thanks for the list of accomplishments. It’s always a faster task when listening to something. I’ve got more poems, sayings, figures of speech, stories, and housekeeping hints coming next week. Right now I’m getting my computer, the one from the olden days, transferred to a refurbished pc, also from the olden days(but still working).
Could you please enter your comment again? I’m afraid in trying to figure out how to post it I deleted it! I’m slowly coming out of the adjustment of a different computer and hope to be back soon with another post /video
Great video! I'm looking forward to playing catch-up with your blog. :)
Kaye :)
I love that.
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