Will Carleton

If there's a heaven upon the earth, a fellow knows it when He's been away from home a week, and then gets back again.

To appreciate heaven well, it's good for a person to have some fifteen minutes of hell.

Things at home are crossways, and Betsy and I are out.

Over all our happy country - over all our Nation spread, Is a band of noble heroes - is our Army of the Dead.

Cover them over with beautiful flowers, Deck them with garlands, those brothers of ours, Lying so silent by night and by day.

I've watched my duty, straight an' true, an' tried to do it well; Part of the time kept heaven in view, An' part steered clear of hell.

But I have learned a thing or two; I know as sure as fate, when we lock up our lives for wealth, the gold key comes too late.

Not all the labor of the earth Is done by hardened hands.

Worm or beetle - drought or tempest - on a farmer's land may fall, Each is loaded full o' ruin, but a mortgage beats 'em all.