GIVE ME HARD TASKS

Give me hard tasks,
With strength that shall not fail;
Conflict, with courage that shall never die!
Better the hill-path, climbing toward the sky,
Than languid air and smooth
sward of the vale!

Better to dare the wild wrath of the gale
Than with furled sails in port forever lie!
Give me hard tasks,
With strength that shall not fail;
Conflict with courage that shall never die!

Not foe a light load fitting shoulders frail,
Not for an unearned victory I sigh;
Strong is the struggle that wins triumph high,
Not without loss the hero shall prevail;
Give me hard tasks,
With strength that shall not fail!
(Unknown)