Keep A Pluggin' Away By Paul Laurence Dunbar

This recitation of Keep A Pluggin' Away is held with sincere admiration, gratitude, and solidarity for the life and work of Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906). Paul Laurence Dunbar self-published this poem in "Oak and Ivy" while he was working as an elevator operator in Dayton, Ohio. Dunbar wrote 600 poems, 12 poetry books, five novels, four short story volumes, as well as musical lyrics including "In Dahomey" (1903) – the first all Black American musical produced on Broadway. Dunbar's writings examined themes of racial injustice, identity, and the experiences of Black Americans. May his legacy be honored and upheld in peace and strength. Keep A Pluggin' Away is a light to keep close when the heart is weary - it is a reminder of what is within and what is ahead.

Transcript

Keep a Pluggin' Away by Paul Lawrence Dunbar. Recited by Logan Zelenak. I have a humble little motto that is homely though it's true. Keep a-pluggin' away. It's a thing when I have an object that I always try to do. Keep a-pluggin' away. When you're rising storms to quell, When opposing waters swell, It will never fail to tell. Keep a-pluggin' away. If the hills are high before and the paths are hard to climb, Keep a-pluggin' away. And remember that successes come to him who bides his time. Keep a-pluggin' away. From the greatest to the least, None are from the rule released. Be thou toiler, Poet, Priest, Keep a-pluggin' away. Delve away beneath the surface. There is treasure farther down. Keep a-pluggin' away. Let the rain come down in torrents. Let the threatening heavens frown. Keep a-pluggin' away. When the clouds have rolled away, There will come a brighter day. All your labor to repay. Keep a-pluggin' away. There will be lots of sneers to swallow. There will be lots of pain to bear. Keep a-pluggin' away. If you've got your eye on heaven, Some bright day you'll wake up there. Keep a-pluggin' away. Perseverance still is king. Time it's sure reward will bring. Work and wait unwearying. Keep unplugging away.