I've a humble little motto that is homely, though it's true,— keep a-pluggin' away. it's a thing when i've an object that i always try to do,— keep a-pluggin' away. when you've 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. what message is conveyed by both this poem and "mother to son"? life requires perseverance. humility is an important character trait. traveling teaches people life lessons. every job requires specialized knowledge.