Speak the Truth.

Be the matter what it may,
Always speak the truth;
Whether work or whether play,
Always speak the truth.
Never from this rule depart,
Grave it deeply on your heart;
Written 'tis in Virtue's chart:
Always speak the truth.

There's a charm in verity—
Always speak the truth;
There is meanness in a lie—
Always speak the truth.
He is but a coward slave
Who, a present pain to waive,
Stoops to falsehood: then he brave,
Always speak the truth

Falsehood seldom stands alone—
Always speak the truth;
One begets another one—
Always speak the truth.
Falsehood all the soul degrades,
'Tis a sin from which proceed
Greater sins and darker deeds;
Always speak the truths

When you're wrong the folly own;
Always speak the truth:
Here's a victory to he won;
Always speak the truth.
He who speaks with lying-tongue
Adds to wrong a greater wrong:
Then with courage true and strong
Always-speak the truth.

American Sacred Songster.