TAKE UP THE HOUSEHOLD BURDEN.

Take up the household burden,

No iron rule of kings,

But make your family understand

That you are running things,

Do n't storm around and bluster,

And do n't get mad and swear

If in the soup is floating —

A rag and a hank of hair.

Take up the household burden

In patience to abide,

To curse the irate grocer

And make your wife confide

By open speech and simple

And hundred times made plain

How she has sought to profit

In spending all you gain.

Take up the household burden —

The little baby boy,

And walk the floor in anguish

And do n't let it annoy.

For when the kid seems sleepy

And you are feeling “sold,”

There comes a cry from baby boy

That makes your blood run cold.

Take up the household burden

And try and be a man,

Just simply grin and bear it

And do the best you can.

Come now and try your manhood

And let the future go,

And listen to your elders —

They've tried it and they know.