1 Keep working, '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.

Refrain:
We'll never, O never, no never say fail,
We'll never, O never, no never say fail;
Press onward, press onward and upward my friend,
Let this be our motto, and never say fail.

2 With eyes ever open, a tongue that's not dumb,
A heart that to sorrow will never succumb;
You'll battle and conquer tho' thousands assail,
Then onward and conquer, and never say fail. [Refrain]

3 In life's early morning, in manhood's fair pride,
Let this be your motto, your footsteps to guid;
In storm and in sunshine, whatever assail,
We'll never, O never, no never say fail. [Refrain]