An Ancient gaffer (old man) once I knew,
\nWho puffed a pipe and tossed a tankard;
\nHe claimed a hundred years or two,
\nAnd for a dozen more he hankered;
\nSo o’er a pint I asked how he
\nHad kept his timbers tight together;
\nHe grinned and answered: “It maun (variant of must) be
\nBecause I likes all kinds o’ weather.
\n“Fore every morn when I get up
\nI lights my clay pipe wi’ a cinder,
\nAnd as me mug o’ tea I sup
\nI looks from out the cottage winder;
\nAnd if it’s shade or if it’s shine
\nOr wind or snow befit to freeze me,
\nI always say: ‘Well, now that’s fine . . .
\nIt’s just the sorto’ day to please me.’
\n“For I have found it wise in life
\nTo take the luck the way it’s coming;
\nA wake, a worry or a wife –
\nJust carry on and keep a-humming.
\nAnd so I lights me pipe o’ clay,
\nAnd through the morn on blizzard borders,
\nI chuckle in me guts and say:
\n‘It’s just the day the doctor orders.'”
\nA mighty good philosophy
\nThought I, and leads to longer living,
\nTo make the best of things that be,
\nAnd take the weather of God’s giving;
\nSo though the sky be ashen grey,
\nAnd winds be edged and sleet be slanting,
\nHeap faggots on the fire and say:
\n“It’s just the kind of day I’m wanting.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An Ancient gaffer (old man) once I knew, Who puffed a pipe and tossed a tankard; He claimed a hundred years or two, And for a dozen more he hankered; So o’er a pint I asked how he Had kept his timbers tight together; He grinned and answered: “It maun (variant of must) be Because … <\/p>\n