You’re starting, my boy, on life’s journey,
Along the grand highway of life;
You’ll meet with a thousand temptations
Each city with evil is rife.
This world is a stage of excitement,
There’s danger wherever you go;
But if you are tempted to weakness,
Have courage, my boy, to say No!

[Refrain]
Have courage, my boy, to say No!
Have courage, my boy, to say No!
Have courage, my boy,
Have courage, my boy,
Have courage, my boy, to say No!

In courage, my boy, lies your safety,
When you the long journey begin,
Your trust in a heavenly Father
Will keep you unspotted from sin.
Temptations will go on increasing,
As streams from a rivulet flow;
But if you’d be true to your manhood,
Have courage, my boy, to say No!

[Refrain]
Have courage, my boy, to say No!
Have courage, my boy, to say No!
Have courage, my boy,
Have courage, my boy,
Have courage, my boy, to say No!

Be careful in choosing companions,
Seek only the brave and the true,
And stand by your friends when in trial,
Ne’er changing the old for the new;
And when by false friends you are tempted
The taste of the wine cup to know,
With firmness, with patience and kindness,
Have courage, my boy, to say No!

[Refrain]
Have courage, my boy, to say No!
Have courage, my boy, to say No!
Have courage, my boy,
Have courage, my boy,
Have courage, my boy, to say No!