Have Courage to Say No!

General Information

Words and music: Horatio Richmond Palmer (1834 - 1907), 1887

Lyrics

1. You're starting, my boy, on life's journey,
Along the grand highway of life;
You'll meet with a thousand temptations -
Each city with evil is rife.
This world is a stage of excitement,
There is danger wherever you go;
But if you are tempted in weakness,
Have courage, my boy, to say No!

Chorus
||: Have courage, my boy, to say No! :||
||: Have courage, my boy, :||
Have courage, my boy, to say No!

2. In courage alone lies your safety,
When you the long journey begin;
Your trust in a heavenly Father
Will keep you unspotted from sin.
Temptations will go on increasing,
As streams from a rivulet flow;
But if you'd be true to your manhood,
Have courage, my boy, to say No!

3. Be careful in choosing companions,
Seek only the brave and the true;
And stand by your friends when in trial,
Ne'er changing the old for the new;
And when by false friends you are tempted
The taste of the wine cup to know,
With firmness, with patience and kindness,
Have courage, my boy, to say No!