HE RISES at the break of day, Sometimes a little bit before it, To tell us that the dawn is gray And he is proudly gloating o’er it. He makes his boast that nothing’s wrong About him or his constitution. His voice proclaims with accent strong That he’s a going institution. He has been whipped a hundred times, A hundred times run helter-skelter, But still his raucous challenge chimes As though he’d never sought for shelter. He has the courage to arise, And sally forth, and be a booster, Though gray or sunny be the skies. Here’s to the spirit of the rooster. The Rulers of the Earth (1926) Jim Jones with a will undivided Toiled on with his reaper and plow. He brought up his brood, and provided For them by the sweat of his brow. Whenever some plan was in question, In kindly and old-fashioned way He gave this unchanging suggestion: “Whatever the women folks say.” The world with its strife and its glory Goes seeking for treasure and charm. The tale of its years is the story Of Jim Jones who toiled on the farm. The men wield the shovel and hammer, But if we should ask them the way The world should be run, they would stammer: “Whatever the women folks say.” Sing a Little Song (1926) When the heart is weary And the road is long; When the day is dreary, Sing a little song. Sing it in the spirit; Let joy linger near it; And your heart will hear it, Hear it and be strong. When your hope is paling, When your plans go wrong, When your dreams are failing, Sing a little song. Send it thrilling, winging, Sunshine with its bringing. It will wake to singing Others in the throng. Team-work (1926) I take my horses out to plow, Or sow, or run the mower. One pulls away right down the row, One goes a little slower. They’ve often taught me in the past, Pulling in double leather, They only get along as fast As both can go together. In every human progress we Together do the striving. And toward the better day to be Together we are driving. By team-work we must win at last, Whatever be the weather. We only get along as fast As all can go together. [Illustration of a farming scene. Bottom third of frame is landscape. The foreground features a farmer walking behind and controlling a plow being pulled by two horses. Middle ground has gently rolling hills and a group of trees. Background has mountains. Upper two-thirds of frame is sky with white, billowing clouds. Art piece is signed “McV” (stands for G. R. McVicker).] Their First Meal (1926) The ham was cold. The milk was blue, The biscuits all were hard. The eggs and the potatoes, too, Were strong with rancid lard. Life leaned upon a slender staff In that first offering, But never banquet tasted half So pleasant to a king.