---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Haddock, Lorenzo J.
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 11
number: 2
published: 1907-12
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Lorenzo J. Haddock, "Just Hum a Tune and Smile," *Improvement Era* 11, no. 2 (December 1907): 139–140.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1102unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera1102unse
start_page: 139
end_page: 140
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1907-12)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1102unse
  publication_year: 1907
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1907, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# Just Hum a Tune and Smile

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JUST HUM A TUNE, AND SMILE.
(For the Improvement Era.)
Do you ever pause to notice, as you pass along your way,
What a lot of solemn people there are 'round us every day?
With their look of hungry sorrow, and unutterable woe,
Like animated icicles, as through the world they go.
I'm not surprised if each one, in a world of toil and care,
Of pain and disappointment, at some time have had their share;
Still wouldn't it be best, instead of mourning all the while,
To loosen up a little, and just hum a tune and smile?
See that fellow passing now! Note how he hangs his head!
He's met some little trial, and he's envying the dead;
Hasn't got the moral courage to just brace himself and stay
With his faith firm fixed in God above, to help him win the day.
With his faith firm fixed in God? Why, he's never thought to pray
For our Father's unseen forces to assist him on his way
How infinitely better this, than turning to revile;
To simply say, "God knoweth best," then hum a tune, and smile.
'Tis not the austere person — the one of haughty mien
That has the greatest wisdom. Why, some people I have seen,
With their look of solemn learning, have hearts as black as night!
To me, the learned person is the one whose face is bright
With the glow of sweet good nature, who loves his fellow man,
And in each small endeavor does the very best he can,
Then leaves the rest with God, and turns away, meanwhile,
To prosecute some other task, and hum a tune, and smile.
Oh, the power there is in humming, though it be some simple air!
Seems to melt its way right to the heart, and find an echo there;
Seems to gather up the sunshine, and stamp it on the face,
While cares and disappointments go a-flying into space
Seems to penetrate each fibre, makes the weary eye grow bright!
Where before was inky darkness, lo, we now see heaven's light,
And Peace, God's holiest blessing, will our vexing cares beguile,
If we will only trust in Him, and hum a tune, and smile.
Lorenzo J. Haddock.
Salt Lake City, Utah.

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