NOTE:  In line 3, “according to Hoyle” is a phrase referring to Hoyle’s book of rules for card games.  In the early 1900s, the phrase meant “following the rules” or “doing the right thing.”

When you’re lost in the Wild, and as scared as a child,
When Death looks you straight in the eye,
If your life is a spoil, it’s according to Hoyle
To cock your revolver and . . . die.

But the Code of a Man says: “Fight all you can,”
So ending your own life is barred.
In hunger and woe, it seems easy to go . . .
It’s the hell-served-for-breakfast that’s hard.

“You’re sick of the game!” Well, now, that’s a shame.
You’re young and you’re brave and you’re bright.
“You’ve had a raw deal!” I know — but don’t squeal,
Buck up, do your damnedest, and fight.

It’s the plugging away that will win you the day,
So don’t choose to act the cream puff!
Just draw on your grit; it’s so easy to quit:
It’s the keeping-your-chin-up that’s tough.

It’s easy to cry that you’re beaten — and die;
It’s easy to shiver and crawl;
But to get up and fight when hope’s out of sight —
That’s the greatest game of them all!

And though you come out of each grueling bout,
All broken and beaten and scarred,
Just have one more try — it’s dead easy to die,
It’s the keeping-on-living that’s hard.