American Old Time Song Lyrics: 34 Practice What You Preach

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 34

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH.

As motto songs are all the go. how many will pretend.
The good advice they'll give to you, I will stand by my friend;
Don't treat a man disdainfully, and also broken down,
But when you look for these good friends they're seldom to be found.
You sing about those good old friends that once stood close by you,
But When you are in want you'll find such friends are very few.
It's cling to those who cling to you, such nice rhymes they will teach.
But where's the man, I'd like to know, who'll practice what he'll preach.

Judge not a man by the clothes he wears, you've heard it sung, I know,
But he that has not got the togs to parties cannot go;
When these old clothes were new, my boy, will do right well to sing.
But when you come to try it on you'll find it not the thing;
As friends in need are friends indeed, how often I've been told.
But when you come to look for them they are as scarce as gold;
It's never push a man down hill, how often folks will screech,
But where's the man that's got the nerve to practice what he'll preach.

Now money is your only friend is good to sing about.
But When you want to borrow some your words they're sure to doubt;
Don't strike a poor man when he's down, for surely that is wrong,
But where's the one will do his best to help his friend along:
There are many of these songs you know just put upon the shelf.
For number one is all the go, and look out for yourself;
Some men they say they will be true, stick closer than a leach,
But when you ask a favor will they practice what they preach.

It's pulling hard against the stream, you know it is the plan,
The ragged coat looks very hard, who'll help him if they can;
It's never let your boyhood's days like sunbeams pass you by,
For you will never miss the water 'till the well runs dry.
When friends are false you all have heard and also good as gold;
There are many in this town, I know, goes back on young and old,
While they themselves are snugly fixed, good morals try to teach.
Are these the men, I'd like to know, that practice what they preach?