"When it's _got_ to be," -- like! always say, As I notice the years whiz past, And know each day is a yesterday, When we size it up, at last, -- Same as I said when my _boyhood_ went And I knowed _we_ had to quit, -- "It's _got_ to be, and it's _goin'_ to be! " -- So I said "Good-by" to _it_.
It's _got_ to be, and it's _goin'_ to be!
So at least I always try To kind o' say in a hearty way, -- "Well, it's _got_ to be. Good-by!"
The time jes melts like a late, last snow, -- When it's _got_ to be, it melts!
But I aim to keep a cheerful mind, Ef I can't keep nothin' else!
I knowed, when I come to twenty-one, That I'd soon be twenty-two, -- So I waved one hand at the soft young man, And I said, "Good-by to _you_!"
It's _got_ to be, and it's _goin'_ to be!
So at least I always try To kind o' say, in a cheerful way, -- "Well, it's _got_ to be. -- Good-by!"
They kep' a-goin', the years and years, Yet still I smiled and smiled, -- For I'd said "Good-by" to my single life, And I now had a wife and child: Mother and son and the father -- one, -- Till, last, on her bed of pain, She jes' smiled up, like she always done, -- And I said "Good-by" again.
It's _got_ to be, and it's _goin'_ to be!
So at least I always try To kind o' say, in a humble way, -- "Well, it's _got_ to be. Good-by!"
And then my boy -- as he growed to be Almost a man in size, -- Was more than a pride and joy to me, With his mother's smilin' eyes. -- He gimme the slip, when the War broke out, And followed me. And I Never knowed till the first right's end.
I found him, and then,. "Good-by."
It's _got_ to be, and it's _goin'_ to be!
So at least I always try To kind o' say, in a patient way, "Well, it's _got_ to be. Good-by!"
I have said, "Good-by! -- Good-by! -- Good-by!"
With my very best good will, All through life from the first, -- and I Am a cheerful old man still:
But it's _got_ to end, and it's _goin'_ to end!
And this is the thing I'll do, -- With my last breath I will laugh, O Death, And say "Good-by" to _you_! .
It's _got_ to be! And again I say, -- When his old scythe circles high, I'll laugh -- of course, in the kindest way, -- As I say "Good-by! -- Good-by! "
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