We’ve songs that scare and songs that scoff
                And songs that set us sighing
Now sing us one to make us laugh
                And send waist buttons flying.

Since laughter cures a lot of ills,
                Lets laugh till our sides get sore
Laughter is cheaper and better than pills
                You buy in a chemist’s store.

We’ve tears enough in the world today
And fears enough in the offing
A whiff and a puff drive clouds away;
                Give us a dose of laughing.

Tune your harp to the skylark’s lilt
                For larks to heaven belong.
‘Tis useless crying o’er milk that’s spilt,
                Sing us a merry song.

Sing for a change a song of joy
                That turns our grief to gladness
And a sad old man to a bright young boy,
                We’re sick of songs of sadness.

MICHAEL MULLIN, ‘The Bard of Foremass,
Foremass Lower, Sixmilecross, Co. Tyrone.

Footnote by P.D. : –
Some philosopher once said “I think therefore I am” – in my father’s case, “He wrote therefore He was”.  These are some of the memories I have of the father I knew at home years ago and the father I renew through his poems today.