LAD DAD (AFTER A E HOUSEMAN)

“Is my team ploughing, 

IS MY RUG CURLED

   That I was used to drive 

THAT I WAS USED TO FLATTENING

And hear the harness jingle 

AND REMONSTRATION

   When I was man alive?” 

WHEN OFFENCE WAS HAPPENING?

Ay, the horses trample, 

AY, THE HORSES TRAMPLE

   The harness jingles now; 

ITS RECYCLED FIBRES

No change though you lie under 

AND AERATE THE SANCTUARY SOIL

   The land you used to plough.

FOR HORSES, DONKEYS, DOGS AND SUBSCRIBERS

“Is football playing 

   Along the river shore, 

With lads to chase the leather, 

   Now I stand up no more?” 

Ay the ball is flying, 

   The lads play heart and soul; 

The goal stands up, the keeper 

   Stands up to keep the goal. 

“Is my girl happy, 

ARE THE KIDS HAPPY,

   That I thought hard to leave, 

 THAT WE COULDN'T TO TEACH

And has she tired of weeping 

AND DO THEY EVER WEEP

   As she lies down at eve?” 

FOR THEIR DADDIES, EACH?

Ay, she lies down lightly, 

AY, THEY'RE PROUD AS PUNCH

   She lies not down to weep: 

AND BANGING ON LIKE MAD

Your girl is well contented. 

ABOUT RESPECT FOR ALL THINGS

   Be still, my lad, and sleep. 

SOMETIMES THEY SPEAK OF YOU 'BIRTH DADS'

“Is my friend hearty, 

IS MY FRIEND HEARTY

   Now I am thin and pine, 

NOW I AM THIN AND PINE

And has he found to sleep in 

AND HAS HE FOUND TO KEEP

   A better bed than mine?” 

A BETTER HOUSE THAN MINE?

Yes, lad, I lie easy, 

AYE LAD, REST EASY,

   I lie as lads would choose; 

I CHOOSE AS WOULD A LAD

I cheer a dead man’s sweetheart, 

I CHEER A DEAD MAN'S KIDS

   Never ask me whose.

NEVER CALL ME LAD-DAD.