Never Say Fail

Never Say Fail

Keep pushing - 'tis wiser
Than sitting aside,
And dreaming and sighing,
And waiting the tide:
In Life's earnest battle,
They only prevail
Who daily march onward,
And never say fail.

With an eye ever open,
And a tongue that's not dumb,
And a heart that will never
To sorrow succumb,
You'll battle and conquer,
Though thousands assail:
How strong and how mighty,
Who never say fail!

The spirits of angels
Are active, I know,
As higher and higher
In glory they go:
Methinks on bright pinions
From heaven they sail,
To cheer and encourage
Who never say fail.

Ahead then keep pushing,
And elbow your way,
Unheeding the envious,
And mockers that bray:
All obstacles vanish,
All enemies quail,
In the might of their wisdom
Who never say fail.

In life's rosy morning,
In manhood's firm pride,
Let this be the motto
Your footsteps to guide:
In storm and in sunshine,
Whatever assail,
You'll onward and conquer,
And never say fail.

Two more poems by Daniel C. Colesworthy about Failure

These two poems also speak to the same lesson. Keep moving forward, keep your mind on what is good, and do not let setbacks talk you out of trying again.

Onward

With Onward! your motto,
You never will fail,
Should Poverty track you,
Or Envy assail.
No obstacles hinder,
No trials molest,
Whose aim is still upward,
With truth in the breast.

The shadows that mist-like
Hang under the sky,
And hide the bright prospects
Behind them that lie,
Will fold with the darkness
Their wings for a flight,
And glory and beauty
Give only delight.

The sorrows you cling to
"Were never designed
To tax or to fetter
The high-gifted mind:
'Twas made to soar upward
With angels and God,
And not to be trammeled
On the valley's cold sod.

Then onward! See blazing
Away in the sky
The motto so glorious,
"Look up, and not die! "
'Tis the language of angels,
Of men who can feel,
When the world they would startle
In thunder appeal.

Go Forward

Go forward, press onward:
'Tis wiser, by far,
Than fretting and sighing
In fear where you are.
Whatever your calling,
Your aim or pursuit,
In hand with true Wisdom,
You'll bear precious fruit.

A Putnam and Warren
What made them to be
Remembered forever
By the good and the free?
'Twas active exertion,
Indomitable zeal,
And minds that were tempered
With wisdom and steel.

Go forward, press onward:
Oh, live not in vain!
There's wisdom, and honor,
And glory to gain.
The path is before you,
You've only to choose:
You win if you're active;
If slothful, you lose.

Go forward, press onward:
A moment's delay
May thicken the shadows
That rise o'er your way.
This waiting and wasting
The summers that fly
Will leave you a sluggard
To linger and die.