When a fellow's kind of wobbly and uncertain on his feet, And has to work like sixty for to get both ends to meet-- When he's not of much account and has to take what he can get-- The people don't come flockin' to be friends of his, you bet! They don't come sayin', "Old chap, I'm the only friend you've got," And "Remember that we're brothers," and that kind of tommyrot. No, indeed! And they don't get jealous of you when friends are what you need.
If a fellow's kind of lonesome and would like a friend or two Just to come around and jolly him when things are lookin' blue; If the shirt that he's wearin' is the only one he's got, And he never showed the public that he's really on the spot, They don't come crowdin' round him, nor stick out their hands and say, "We're your friends, old man; we love you--we've the same blood anyway"-- No, indeed! But they watch to give the boot to you when friends are what you need.
When things have got to comin' as a fellow wants 'em to, When his pockets are all bulgin' and his clo's are fine and new; When he steps out proud and lordly and ain't got a thing to fear, There's a sudden change comes over folks that used to wink and sneer. They come runnin' then to tell you that they're all your friends, and say That they've always been dead anxious for to help you out some way-- Yes, indeed! Friends are always mighty plentiful when friends ain't what you need.
Oh, never sink 'neath Fortune's frown, But brave her with a shout of cheer, And front her fairly--face her down-- She's only stern to those who fear! Here's "Better luck another year!" Another year!
Aye, better luck another year! We'll have her smile instead of sneer-- A thousand smiles for every tear, With home made glad and goodly cheer, And better luck another year-- Another year!
The damsel Fortune still denies The plea that yet delights her ear; 'Tis but our manhood that she tries-- She's coy to those who doubt and fear-- She'll grant the suit another year! Another year!
Here's "Better luck another year!" She now denies the golden prize; But, spite of frown and scorn and sneer, Be firm, and we will win and wear, With home made glad and goodly cheer, In better luck another year! Another year! Another year!