Johnny Patterson (1840-89) the composer of 'Praties' (potatoes, 'pirties' in the north), wrote about two hundred songs, the vast majority of which have been lost. Among those that survive are,

A Good Roaring Fire, Barney Hare, Bridget Donahue, Castles in the Air, Cincinnati in the State of Ohio, The Dingle Puck Goat, Do Your Best for One Another, Garden Where the Praties Grow, Goodbye Johnny Dear, The Hat My Father Wore, My Love She's Gone Away, Off to Philadelphia, Ould Turf Fire, The Roving Irish Boy, Shake Hands With Your Uncle Dan, The Stone Outside Dan Murphy's Door, Typical Irishman.

Below is the song that cost him his life, beaten to death on stage by an intolerant crowd.


DO YOUR BEST FOR ONE ANOTHER

In this world, I have gained my knowledge,
And for it, I had to pay,
Although I never went to college,
Yet I heard the poets say.

Life is but a mighty river,
Rolling on from day to day,
Men are vessels, launched upon it,
Sometimes wrecked, and castaway.

So, do your best for one another,
Making life a pleasant dream,
Help your poor and weary brother,
Pulling hard against the stream.

Many a bright poor-hearted fellow,
Many a noble-minded man,
Finds himself in waters shallow,
Go assist him, if you can.

Some succeed at every turning,
Fortune favours every squall,
Others have not friend or filling,
Pulling hard against them all.

So, do your best for one another,
Making life a pleasant dream,
Help your poor and weary brother,
Pulling hard against the stream.

If the wind blows in your favour,
And you weather every squall,
Think of those who, luckless, labour,
Never know fair winds at all.

Working hard, is contented,
Struggling on through oceans wide,
Without a friend, with not a penny,
Pulling hard against the tide.

Don't give way to foolish sorrow,
But keep all men in good cheer,
Brighter days will come tomorrow,
If we just try, and persevere.

The longest night will have a morning,
Though the sky be overcast,
The roughest road will have a turning,
And the tide will change at last.

So do your best for one another,
Making life a pleasant dream,
Help your poor and weary brother,
Pulling hard against the stream.