The old beggar.

The old beggar was a great inventer

And he drank his whiskey fast

Never made a cent from his lifes work

but he built the damn things to last
 

The old beggar was a great optimist,

 "go where the grass is greener son!"

The smokes ate his lungs right up,

But smoked a pack a day, just for fun.
 

The old beggar was a great soldier

Lost five of his friends to the Infantry

Never spoke a word of war

'Till one night, he mumbled

"kraut bastards! can't get me!"
 

The old beggar was a great surviver

His agile mind kept him alive

Now his flame burns twice as bright

In the hearts of grandchildren, aged four and five.
 

I've never met his family

I hope like hell one day I can

I'd tell them I've never known such honour

to have met the great old man.