IT'S GOT TO BE

“When it's got to be,” — like! always say,

As I notice the years whiz past,

And know each day is a yesterday,

When we size it up, at last,—

Same as I said when my boyhood went

And I knowed we had to quit,—

“It's got to be, and it's goin’ to be!” —

So I said “Good-by” to it.

It's got to be, and it's goin’ to be!

So at least I always try

To kind o’ say in a hearty way,—

“Well, it's got to be. Good-by!”

The time jes melts like a late, last snow,—

When it's got to be, it melts!

But I aim to keep a cheerful mind,

Ef I can n't keep nothin’ else!

I knowed, when I come to twenty-one,

That I'd soon be twenty-two,—

So I waved one hand at the soft young man,

And I said, “Good-by to you!”

It's got to be, and it's goin’ to be!

So at least I always try

To kind o’ say, in a cheerful way,—

“Well, it's got to be.— Good-by!”

They kep’ a-goin’, the years and years,

Yet still I smiled and smiled,—

For I'd said “Good-by” to my single life,

And I now had a wife and child:

Mother and son and the father — one,—

Till, last, on her bed of pain,

She jes’ smiled up, like she always done,—

And I said “Good-by” again.

It's got to be, and it's goin’ to be!

So at least I always try

To kind o’ say, in a humble way,—

“Well, it's got to be. Good-by!”

And then my boy — as he growed to be

Almost a man in size,—

Was more than a pride and joy to me,

With his mother's smilin’ eyes.—

He gimme the slip, when the War broke out,

And followed me. And I

Never knowed till the first right's end...

I found him, and then,... “Good-by.”

It's got to be, and it's goin’ to be!

So at least I always try

To kind o’ say, in a patient way,

“Well, it's got to be. Good-by!”

I have said, “Good-by!— Good-by!— Good-by!”

With my very best good will,

All through life from the first,— and I

Am a cheerful old man still:

But it's got to end, and it's goin’ to end!

And this is the thing I'll do,—

With my last breath I will laugh, O Death,

And say “Good-by” to you!...

It's got to be! And again I say,—

When his old scythe circles high,

I'll laugh — of course, in the kindest way,—

As I say “Good-by!— Good-by!”