GOOD COMPANY

"Take good care of what you've got,"
My father said to me.
As he puffed his pipe and Baby B.
He dandled on his knee,
"Don't fool with fools who'll turn away.
Keep all good company."

Take care of those you call your own
And keep good company

Soon I grew and happy too
My very good friends and me
We'd play all day with Sally J.
The girl from number four
And very soon I begged her, "Won't you keep me company?"

Come marry me for evermore
We'll be good company

Now marriage is an institution. Sure
My wife and I, our needs and nothing more
All my friends by a year
By and by disappeared
But we're safe enough behind our door.

I flourished in my humble trade
My reputation grew
The work devoured my waking hours
But when my time was through
Reward of all my efforts: my own limited company

I hardly noticed Sally as we parted company

All through the years
In the end it appears
There was never really anyone but me

Now I'm old, I puff my pipe
But no one's there to see
I ponder on the lesson of my life's insanity

Take care of those you call your own
And keep good company