This I would like to be braver and bolder,
Just a bit wiser because I am older,
Just a bit kinder to those I may meet,
Just a bit manlier taking defeat;
This for the New Year my wish and my plea–
Lord, make a regular man out of me.
This I would like to be just a bit finer,
More of a smiler and less of a whiner,
Just a bit quicker to stretch out my hand
Helping another who’s struggling to stand,
This is my prayer for the New Year to be,
Lord, make a regular man out of me.
This I would like to be just a bit fairer,
Just a bit better, and just a bit squarer,
Not quite so ready to censure and blame,
Quicker to help every man in the game,
Not quite so eager men’s failings to see,
Lord, make a regular man out of me.
This I would like to be just a bit truer,
Less of the wisher and more of the doer,
Broader and bigger, more willing to give,
Living and helping my neighbor to live!
This for the New Year my prayer and my plea–
Lord, make a regular man out of me.
This song is Copyright © 2026 by Robert K. Lewis. Lyrics, a poem, are by Edgar Albert Guest (20 Aug 1881 – 5 Aug 1959), known as the "People’s Poet." This was composed as an inspirational New Year's poem during the interwar period in the Detroit Free Press syndication era. His first poem appeared 11 December 1898, and he wrote over 11,000 poems during his career. He composed daily syndicated newspaper verse during the 1920s and 1930s to offer simple, comforting moral reflections for everyday readers. Samplings are Copyrighted by their respective creators. The completed song is A.I. generated by MusicHero.ai and is Licensed to Robert K. Lewis. You may link to this song, but not embed or reproduce this song elsewhere on the internet.
