Lyr Req: When Things Don't Go to Suit You

Subject: Lyr Req: When Things Don't Go to Suit You
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 04 May 19 - 06:09 PM

When things don't go to suit you...
And the world seems upside down.
Just smile a little smile,
Don't face it with a frown.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

This was a family "rocking chair" song to consol a child in tears...my guess is perhaps the 1930's.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Things Don't Go to Suit You
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 04 May 19 - 06:38 PM

This isn't one of the
George Formby tunes, is it?
like

Smile a Little Smile
or
Count Your Blessings and Smile
and so on …

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Things Don't Go to Suit You
From: keberoxu
Date: 04 May 19 - 06:53 PM

This is an oldie -- is it anywhere close?




When things don't go to suit you,
What use to frown and sigh?
You can't frown back the sunshine
That's missing from the sky,
Nor frown away the winter
In wishing it were spring.
The wisest thing to do, my friend,
Is just keep sweet -- and sing!

A song will make one's burden
Seem lighter, while a sigh
Adds to the load we carry,
We can't tell how, or why.
We only know it does it,
And that the lilt and swing
Of cheerful song makes happy heart;
So just keep sweet -- and sing!

Don't fret, and fume, and worry,
And make things worse, say I,
Since we can't help what's happened;
So laugh away the sigh,
And trust that on the morrow
The clouds will all take wing,
Believing God knows what is best;   
So just keep sweet -- and sing!

attributed to Eben E. Rexford

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Things Don't Go to Suit You
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 04 May 19 - 07:31 PM

It might be a song called Keep Smiling (tune John Brown's Body). See MIA Let's Sing (1962).

Mick

Subject: Lyr Add: SMILE WHENEVER YOU CAN
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 May 19 - 12:31 PM

From The Manifesto, Vol. 16, No. 7, (Shaker Village, N. H.: The United Societies, July, 1886), page 153:

SMILE WHENEVER YOU CAN.

When things don't go to suit you,
And the world seems upside down
Don't waste your time in fretting,
But drive away that frown;
Since life is oft perplexing,
'Tis much the wisest plan
To bear all trials bravely,
And smile whene'er you can.

Why should you dread the morrow,
And thus despoil to-day?
For when you borrow trouble
You always have to pay.
It is a good old maxim,
Which should be often preached—
Don't cross the bridge before you
Until the bridge is reached.

You might be spared much sighing,
If you would keep in mind
The thought that good and evil
Are always here combined.
There must be something wanting,
And though you roll in wealth,
You may miss from your casket
That precious jewel—health.

And though you're strong and sturdy,
You may have an empty purse
(And earth has many trials
Which I consider worse;)
But whether joy or sorrow
Fill up your mortal span,
'Twill make your pathway brighter
To smile whene'er you can.

—Ex.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Things Don't Go to Suit You
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 05 May 19 - 05:37 PM

Jim Dixon's contribution in the previous post (well done!)
is attributed to the American lyricist
whose pen name was "Kate Cameron" ,
maiden name Maria Burbank Williams,
married name "K. [Kate] B. W. Barnes,"
1836 - 1873.

So says Alfonso Alva Hopkins in his book
Waifs, and their Authors, Boston: D. Lothrop & Company, 1879.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Things Don't Go to Suit You
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 05 May 19 - 05:54 PM

Mr. Dixon,

You are an absolute Mudcat wonder.

THANK you ! ! !

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

A lavender eyed horse may lay dormant for a decade...and you ....