TO my fellow sinners all, who, in hope and doubt,
Through the Commonwealth to-night watch the Old Year out,
New Years Resolutions are jerry-built I know,
But I want to say to you, Give yourselves a show.
You who drink for drinkings sake, love for lust alone,
Thinking heaven is a myth and the world your own
Dancing gaily down to hell in the devils dance
This I have to say to you: Give your souls a chance.
You who drink because of shame that you think will last,
Or because of wrong done youtrouble in the past
Nothing left to live for now, you will say, I know;
But you have your own self yet, give that self a show!
You who want all things on earthmoney, love, and fame
Having the advantage of worldly place or name
You who have more than you want, even than you know,
In the glorious New Year give someone else a show.
You, the mischief-makers all, who in secret glee
Love to tell the villainies of a scamp like me;
There are things hell never tellthings youll never know
Look into your own lives firstgive the man a show.
You, the politician, who, for jealousy or gold,
Or for mean ambition, sell, or see your country sold,
Pandering to the hollow crowd, toadying to the low,
For shames sake banish selfishnessgive your land a show.
