[Alonzo C. Ide diary, 1864, United States Civil War]

[page 29]
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1864.
[Transcription of inclusion begins]
And the lakes are oceans in storms or in rest
Away, far away, to the land of the West.
To the West! To the West! there is wealth to
be won;
A forest to clear is the work to be done;
We'll try it--we'll do it--and never despair,
While there's light in the sunshine or life in
the air;
The bold independence that labor shall buy,
Shall strengthen our hearts, and forbid us to
sigh;
Away, far away, let us hope for the best,
For a home is a home, in the land of the West.
___
PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE*
[End transcription of inclusion]
I do and will and shall13 1.1
[Transcription of inclusion begins]
Never give up when trials come,
Never row sad and blue,
Never sit down with a tear and a frown,
But paddle your own canoe.
CHORUS
Paddle your own canoe,
paddle your own canoe,
Never sit down with a tear and a frown,
But paddle your own canoe.

There are daisies springing along the shore,
Sweet and blooming for you;
There are rose-hued dyes in the autumn skies,
Then paddle your own canoe. (CHORUS)

Up this world and down this world,
Over this world and through,
When drifted about and tossed without,
Why paddle your own canoe. (CHORUS)14 1.2
[End transcription of inclusion]
I will

[page 30]
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THE OLD BACHELOR'S SONG.*
A bachelor's life is merry and free,
His heart is not shrouded with care;
He has no children climbing his knee,
and squalling and crying out "Pa."
But his days roll on like a pleasant dream,
And are as calm as a summer's sky. [stream,
And serenely he glides down time's hasty
Till the springs of his life are dry.

He has no wife who uses sweet words,
Who calls him "my dear"and "my honey,"
Who warbles her voice like [illegible] the birds,
Whenever she wants any money;
Who kisses and hugs him, and says, "My love,
I want a new bonnet and dress;
And thus it goes on till the Benedict finds,
He has got in a terrible mess.

But a bachelor's life in untrammeled and free,
As the greatest of earthly kings;
While the married man must his wife obey,
And pack up and be off to the springs;
And while the old bachelor's laughing in glee,
And basking in pleasure's smile,
The married man is called by a voice,
"My dear, take care of that child."

The married man is never at ease,
For something is always askew; [round
His wife will torment him and henpeck him
Till she makes the poor fellow look blue;
The bachelor has no such trouble or care,
But merry and happy is he;
Then who would not live, in a world like this,
A bachelor's life so free.
[End transcription of inclusion]

[page 31]
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1864
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'TRUST TO LUCK.'*
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I always do15 1.3
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Trust to luck, trust to luck,
and stare fate in the face,
Sure your heart must be aisy,
If it's in the right place;
Let the world wag, awry,
And your friends turn to foes,
When your pockets are dry,
And threadbare your clothes;
Should woman deceive you,
When you've trusted her heart,
Ne'er sighing won't relieve you,
But add to the smart.

CHORUS.

Trust to luck, trust to luck.
And stare fate in the face,
Sure your heart must be aisy,
if it's in the right place.

Trust to luck, trust to luck,
And stare fate in the face,
Sure your heart must be aisy,
If it's in the right place;
Let the wealthy look grand,
And the proud pass you by,
With a beck of the fist,
And disdain in their eye;
Snap your fingers and smile,
Let them pass on their way,
And remember, the while,
Every dog has his day.
[End transcription of inclusion]

Notes

• 13 1.1

  Text is written vertically along right side of article
• 14 1.2

  Paddle your own canoe. No. 1. H. De Marsan, Publisher, 60 Chatham Street, N. Y. [n. d.]
• 15 1.3

  text is written vertically