The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/Just Whistle A Bit

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

JUST WHISTLE A BIT

Just whistle a bit, if the day be dark,
  And the sky be overcast:
If mute be the voice of the piping lark,
  Why, pipe your own small blast.

And it's wonderful how o'er the gray sky-track
The truant warbler comes stealing back.
But why need he come? for your soul's at rest,
And the song in the heart,—ah, that is best.

Just whistle a bit, if the night be drear
  And the stars refuse to shine:
And a gleam that mocks the starlight clear
  Within you glows benign.

Till the dearth of light in the glooming skies
Is lost to the sight of your soul-lit eyes.
What matters the absence of moon or star?
The light within is the best by far.

Just whistle a bit, if there 's work to do,
 With the mind or in the soil.
And your note will turn out a talisman true
  To exorcise grim Toil.

It will lighten your burden and make you feel
That there 's nothing like work as a sauce for a meal.
And with song in your heart and the meal in—its place,
There 'll be joy in your bosom and light in your face.

Just whistle a bit, if your heart be sore;
  'Tis a wonderful balm for pain.
Just pipe some old melody o'er and o'er
  Till it soothes like summer rain.

And perhaps 't would be best in a later day,
When Death comes stalking down the way,
To knock at your bosom and see if you 're fit,
Then, as you wait calmly, just whistle a bit.