[Ads-l] Eyes on the prize

[Steven Losie]

EYES ON THE PRIZE (no OED entry)

This is another phrase I'm surprised does not have an OED entry. The
_Dictionary of Authentic American Proverbs_ by Wolfgang Mieder (2021)
claims "Keep Your Eyes On the Prize" traces back to "the anonymous African
American song 'Keep Your Hands on that Plow' from the 19th century." The
book, though, only cites the 1917 collection, _English Folk Songs From the
Southern Appalachians_, as that song's earliest printed lyrics.

Here is the earliest instance I could find of "eyes on the prize," without
the imperative "Keep your" introduction:

[begin quote]
An ugly black cat observ'd where by tit-bit was laid,
Fix'd her eyes on the prize, my beautiful maid;
[end quote]
Source: "Liston's Beautiful Maid." The New London Laughable Songster for
1812. Momum and Co., London, [1811]. p.11. (Google Books)
Link:
https://books.google.com/books?id=I-83AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA11&dq=%22eyes+on+the+prize%22


The earliest I could find as an imperative, but uses "upon" instead of "on":

[begin quote]
In running the race of life, never look back, keep your eyes upon the
prize, and let that prize be a good one.
[end quote]
Source: Ottumwa (Iowa) Semi-Weekly Courier, 11 March 1858, p.1, col.2
(Newspapers.com)
Link:
https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/627065052/?match=1&terms=%22keep%20your%20eyes%20on%20the%20prize%22


The earliest I could find as an imperative that uses "on":

[begin quote]
Oh, dear brethren, keep your eyes on the prize — the fight, the race, does
not last for ever...
[end quote]
Source: Clay, Rev. John. The Pastor's Gift. New Year's Addresses and
Sermons. James Nisbet & Co., London, 1875. p.93. (Google Books)
Link:
https://books.google.com/books?id=IuXsGxCTqAsC&pg=PA93&dq=%22keep+your+eyes+on+the+prize%22

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