| Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). Verse: 1885–1918. 1922. | | | | Mary’s Son |
| | 1911
IF you stop to find out what your wages will be | |
| And how they will clothe and feed you, | |
| Willie, my son, don’t you go on the Sea, | |
| For the Sea will never need you. | |
| |
| If you ask for the reason of every command, | 5 |
| And argue with people about you, | |
| Willie, my son, don’t you go on the Land, | |
| For the Land will do better without you. | |
| |
| If you stop to consider the work you have done | |
| And to boast what your labour is worth, dear, | 10 |
| Angels may come for you, Willie, my son, | |
| But you’ll never be wanted on Earth, dear! | | | | |
|
|
