It Cannot Be Done And They Know It

Poem, It Cannot Be Done And They Know It

From the days of creation, it's been just the same,
And it will be to judgment day.
They tell you, each one, that it cannot be done;
At least not in this or that way!

Every time this old world has been boosted ahead: -
"That cannot be done," and they knew it.
They left him alone to hold fast to his own,
To cling to his own and to do it.

"You'll never do that; it cannot be done."
It could not be done and they knew it.
'Mid their dolorous song he just trotted along -
Just trotted along bound to do it!

"We never can fly," that's what they all said;
We never could fly and they knew it;
Yet ignoring them there, paying scoffs with a prayer -
They just smiled, and went forward to do it.

"You'll never succeed, or at least in that way;
We know that you surely will rue it;"
But while they shouted nay, every night, every day,
He went right on determined to do it.

"Oh, do not risk that, for you'll never succeed;
Every cent that you own you'll lose through it."
But while other folks blame, and in horror exclaim,
Someone soon will bob up and just do it.

So you be the first struggler to shoulder your load;
Push on, friend, and blaze your way to it.
And while they sit near, paralyzed by their fear,
Just go to it, old comrade, and do it!