Speak Gently was written by G. W. Langford and consists of eight verses. Here are three of them:

Speak gently; it is better far
To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently; let no harsh word mar
The good we may do here.

Speak gently to the young; for they
Will have enough to bear;
Through this life as best they may,
‘Tis full of anxious care.

Speak gently to the aged one,
Grieve not the careworn heart;
Whose sands of life are nearly run,
Let such in peace depart.

Photo: Minnow Creek, Adelaide Hills, South Australia. (c) Marie Trudinger, 2016.