My Father And Lincoln

When I was but a youngster on the farm I recall

The things my father said to me, the good and bad and all;

Especially the good advice, at least he thought ‘twas good,

But as for me, I don’t believe I ever understood.

When I would want to run out nights or hang around the store

He’d look at me above his specs, as he had done before,

And say, “Yew can’t be out o’nights, I pos’tively forbid,

Jest stay at home an’ study, boy, Abe Lincoln allus did.”

Whenever I was hoeing corn or building fences new,

And kind of stood around and dreamed like some folks always do;

Stood thinking o my rabbit traps or kite strings laid away,

My father he would happen round and look at me and say:

“Fur pity’s sake, what’s ailin’ yew? Yeou’ll never git this done;

Let me jist furnish yew a word uv good advice my son.

Stick tew yeour job an’ got it done, all other thoughts furbid;

Don’t think a fence will build itself, Abe Lincoln never did.”

And if I looked down on the crick and wished that I was there

Just where I knew each pickerel lay within his sheltered lair,

My father would appear and say, mayhap with good intent:

“Don’t waste no time a-fishin’ boy, Abe Lincoln never went.”

One day I said to him, said I, my patience well-nigh spent:

“If I should do as Lincoln did would I be president?”

Pa “hemmed and hawed”, and scratched his head, and said, “Waal, I dunno;

But if you want tew fish today I guess you’d better go!”

Jan. 28, ‘09