If God is in His heaven
And all’s well on the earth
Thanks to Gabriel’s announcement
That a virgin would give birth
If by the Incarnation
The flesh is made divine
Then ‘Comfort ye my people’
Gives dignity to wine
Then mirth and cheer are charity
And laughter is a grace
And the song of love is written
In lines upon a face
When solemnities are happy
And fasting yields to feast
And the yoke of penance eases
For the layman and the priest
Then everyone’s oasis
Upon the Lenten way
Is March the twenty-fifth
[raise glass] That’s Deirdre’s birthday
Salute.
Sophie’s birthday too.
All the really important women were born on this day, or in March.
. . . and a sword shall pierce her olive.
Happy birthday to Deirdre and my goddaughter Sophie.
Matthew,
Well done. Now have your guitarist friend put it to music. It fits what C.Day Lewis called the intricacy of diction fitted perfectly to the simplicity of song.
Huzzah.
Happy birthday to Deirdre!
JOB
Your loving recital of this joyful piece was the pinnacle of a perfect evening. Honored to have been there.
Thanks much, all.
Happy birthday, Deirdre!