He Done His Level Best

He Done His Level Best - meaning Summary

Relentless, Amoral Diligence

Mark Twain's poem depicts a single figure who approaches every task with relentless energy and commitment, whether pious or profane. Repetition underlines his tireless, unselective application of effort as he preaches, sins, works, and amuses himself. The poem registers irony: the speaker admires the man’s zeal while exposing a moral indifference in which means and ends are treated equally. It reads as a wry observation on character and consistency.

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Was he a mining on the flat — He done it with a zest; Was he a leading of the choir — He done his level best. If he’d a reglar task to do, He never took no rest; Or if twas off-and-on — the same — He done his level best. If he was preachin on his beat, He’d tramp from east to west, And north to south — in cold and heat He done his level best. He’d yank a sinner outen (Hades) And land him with the blest — Then snatch a prayer ‘n waltz in again, And do his level best. He’d cuss and sing and howl and pray, And dance and drink and jest, And lie and steal — all one to him — He done his level best. Whate’er this man was sot to do, He done it with a zest: No matter what his contract was, HE’D DO HIS LEVEL BEST.