Do the Best You Can

If clouds blot out the sunshine

Author: Eben E. Rexford
Tune: [If clouds blot out the sunshine]
Published in 5 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 If clouds blot out the sunshine
Along the path you tread,
Don’t grieve in hopeless fashion,
And sigh for brightness fled;
Beyond the clouds the sunlight
Shines in God’s changeless plan,
Trust that the way will brighten,
And do the best you can.

Refrain:
Then do your best,
Yes, do the best you can;
Then do your best,
Yes, do the best you can;
Let not your courage falter,
Keep faith in God and man,
And all along life’s pathway
Do just the best you can.

2 Away with vain repining!
Sing songs of hope and cheer,
Till many a weary comrade,
Grows strong of heart to hear;
He who sings over trouble,
With faith in God above,
Sees thro’ earth’s clouds the sunshine
Of God’s eternal love. [Refrain]

3 So in the time of trouble
Let not your courage fail,
The clouds must sometime vanish,
The sun at last prevail;
Trust we th’eternal goodness,
The all-wise Father’s plan,
And, brave with hope and courage,
Do just the best you can. [Refrain]

Source: Songs of Help: for the Sunday school, evangelistic and church services #157

Author: Eben E. Rexford

Rexford, Eben Eugene.M (Johnsburg, New York, July 16, 1848--October 16, 1916, Shiocton, Wisconsin). Horticulturalist and editor of a Wisconsin farm journal. Many of his verses were used to fill empty corners of the journal. He also wrote many books on gardening. Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisc.), Litt.D. Twenty-five years, organist at First Congregational Church, Shiocton. See: Smith, Mary L.P. (1930). Eben E. Rexford; a biographical sketch. Menasha, Wis., George Banta Pub. Co. --Leonard Ellinwood, DNAH Archives and Gabriel, Charles H. (1916). Singers and Their Songs. Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company.… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: If clouds blot out the sunshine
Title: Do the Best You Can
Author: Eben E. Rexford
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Then do your best
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 5 of 5)
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Bright Melodies #189

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Our Hymns #38

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Precious Hymns #153

TextAudioPage Scan

Songs of Help #157

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The New Living Hymns (Living Hymns No. 2) #144

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