We fancied he'd share in our cause. Instead,
" There is nothing in it for me! " he said.
He passed up pity and play and mirth
And counted his time to the penny's worth.
Ask for his help, and this would be
His answer: " What is there in it for me? "

Nothing it meant if you said: " In this
Perhaps is friendship you'll some day miss.
Here is a task that won't pay in gold,
But will leave you prouder when you grow old.
Though nothing for this will your purse collect,
It will pay you richly in self-respect. "

" What is there in it for me? " he said.
We mentioned pride, but he shook his head.
" The joy of giving, " he flicked his hand —
That he never could understand.
And he found when life's last far bend was turned
That money was all he had ever earned.

We fancied he'd share in our cause. Instead,
" There is nothing in it for me! " he said.
He passed up pity and play and mirth
And counted his time to the penny's worth.
Ask for his help, and this would be
His answer: " What is there in it for me? "

Nothing it meant if you said: " In this
Perhaps is friendship you'll some day miss.
Here is a task that won't pay in gold,
But will leave you prouder when you grow old.
Though nothing for this will your purse collect,
It will pay you richly in self-respect. "

" What is there in it for me? " he said.
We mentioned pride, but he shook his head.
" The joy of giving, " he flicked his hand —
That he never could understand.
And he found when life's last far bend was turned
That money was all he had ever earned.