Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FATHER KILEEN, by HARRY SINCLAIR LEWIS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FATHER KILEEN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Tis he that's the most controversial rogue
Last Line: Father kileen!
Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Sinclair
Subject(s): Clergy; Yale University; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops


'TIS he that's the most controversial rogue,
With a strong touch of wit, and a stronger of brogue.
He'll sit down, and he'll prove that the notions in vogue --
Frinzied finance and such -- were known back in B. C.

He can swing a shillaly,
And drink poteen, r'ally;
O'er his old dudheen, gaily
(His small black dudheen).
A prince among men at least,
Father of fun and feast,
Niver a fun'ral priest,
Father Kileen!

I swear by me hod that the Father is able
To prove that you're on nayther or both sides the table,
That the can is a candle, the bar-room a stable,
That to-day is to-morrow, that young Mike is me!

A fast one at serving mass,
Smiles on the plainest lass,
Kisses the brats that pass,
Dirty or clean.
Just try his stories here,
And see him, o'er the beer,
Give you the kindest leer,
Father Kileen!

Father Killen, Father Kileen,
Niver a word that is thoughtless ormean.
Care for the whole of us,
Body and soul of us, --
Saints make him the goal of us,
Father Kileen!





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