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Poetry Archives

A continuing selection of classic and contemporary poems.

Cheer

Robert Service

It’s a mighty good world, so it is, dear lass,
     When even the worst is said.
There’s a smile and a tear, a sigh and a cheer,
     But better be living than dead;
A joy and a pain, a loss and a gain;
     There’s honey and may be some gall:
Yet still I declare, foul weather or fair,
     It’s a mighty good world after all.

For look, lass! at night when I break from the fight,
     My Kingdom’s awaiting for me;
There’s comfort and rest, and the warmth of your breast,
     And little ones climbing my knee.
There’s fire-light and song—Oh, the world may be wrong!
     Its empires may topple and fall:
My home is my care—if gladness be there,
     It’s a mighty good world after all.

O heart of pure gold! I have made you a fold,
     It’s sheltered, sun-fondled and warm.
O little ones, rest! I have fashioned a nest;
     Sleep on! you are safe from the storm.
For there’s no foe like fear, and there’s no friend like cheer,
     And sunshine will flash at our call;
So crown Love as King, and let us all sing—
     “It’s a mighty good world after all.”
Online text © 1998-2008 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From Rhymes of a Rolling Stone
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