We are happy all the time
Even when we fight:
Sweet briars of the stairways,
Gay fairies of the grime;
WE, WHO ARE PLAYING TO-NIGHT.

“Our feet are in the gutters,
Our eyes are sore with dust,
But still our eyes are bright.
The wide street roars and mutters-
We know it works because it must-
WE, WHO ARE PLAYING TO-NIGHT!

“Dirt is everlasting.- We never, never fear it.
Toil is never ceasing.- We will play until we near it.
Tears are never ending.- When once real tears have come;

“When we see our people as they are-
Our fathers-broken, dumb-
Our mothers-broken, dumb-
The weariest of women and of men;
Ah-then our eyes will lose their light-
Then we will never play again-
WE, WHO ARE PLAYING TO-NIGHT.”