Take Up The Household Burden.

Take up the household burden,         No iron rule of kings,      But make your family understand         That you are running things,      Don't storm around and bluster,         And don't get mad and swear      If in the soup is floating--         A rag and a hank of hair.      Take up the household burden         In patience to abide,      To curse the irate grocer         And make your wife confide      By open speech and simple         And hundred times made plain      How she has sought to profit         In spending all you gain.      Take up the household burden--         The little baby boy,      And walk the floor in anguish         And don't let it annoy.      For when the kid seems sleepy         And you are feeling "sold,"      There comes a cry from baby boy         That makes your blood run cold.      Take up the household burden         And try and be a man,      Just simply grin and bear it         And do the best you can.      Come now and try your manhood         And let the future go,      And listen to your elders--         They've tried it and they know.