From the sheet music at The Levy Collection at Johns Hopkins University:

PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE
Words by Harry Clifton

1. I've travell’d about a bit in my time,
And of troubles I've seen a few,
But found it better in ev’ry clime
To paddle my own canoe.
My wants are small; I care not at all
If my debts are paid when due.
I drive away strife in the ocean of life
While I paddle my own canoe.

CHORUS: Then love your neighbour as yourself,
As the world you go travelling through,
And never sit down with a tear or a frown,
But paddle your own canoe.

2. I have no wife to bother my life,
No lover to prove untrue,
But the whole day long with a laugh and a song,
I paddle my own canoe.
I rise with the lark and from daylight till dark,
I do what I have to do.
I'm careless of wealth if I've only the health,
To paddle my own canoe.

3. It's all very well to depend on a friend,
That is, if you've prov’d him true,
But you'll find it better by far in the end
To paddle your own canoe.
To borrow is dearer by far than to buy—
A maxim tho’ old still true.
You never will sigh if you only will try
To paddle your own canoe.

4. If a hurricane rise in the midday skies
And the sun is lost to view,
Move steadily by with a steadfast eye,
And paddle your own canoe.
The daisies that grow in the bright green fields
Are blooming so sweet for you,
So never sit down with a tear or a frown,
But paddle your own canoe.


As I've been noting these lyrics I'm teased by the nagging feeling that I've heard somebody sing them somewhere this summer. I think it may have been the trio of Grant Baynham, Marilyn Middleton-Pollock, and Steve Mellor as 'It's The Girl' at Chester Folk Festival.