Neighbours

Neighbors written by Rudyard Kipling

"First published in the programme of a meeting of The National Council of Social Service at the Albert Hall in London on 27 January 1932, in the presence of the then Prince of Wales (later the Duke of Windsor). Set to music by Walford Davies (KJ 027/78). It is collected in Limits and Renewals (1932) where it precedes Beauty Spots." – Kipling Society

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The man that is open of heart to his neighbour,
     And stops to consider his likes and dislikes,
His blood shall be wholesome whatever his labour,
     His luck shall be with him whatever he strikes.
The Splendour of Morning shall duly possess him,
     That he may not be sad at the falling of eve.
And, when he has done with mere living — God bless him!
     A many shall sigh, and one Woman shall grieve! —

But he that is costive of soul toward his fellow,
     Through the ways, and the works, and the woes of this life,
Him food shall not fatten, him drink shall not mellow;
     And his innards shall brew him perpetual strife.
His eye shall be blind to God’s Glory above him;
     His ear shall be deaf to Earth’s Laughter around;
His Friends and his Club and his Dog shall not love him;
     And his Widow shall skip when he goes under ground!

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