Child Lover

Child Lover

Drunk or sober Uncle Jim
Played the boy;

Never glum or sour or grim,
Oozin' joy.

Most folks thought he was no good,
Blamin' him;

But where kiddies were, you could
Bank on Jim.

Sure he allus hated work,
Lovin' play.

"Jest a good fer nuthin' jerk,"
Lots would say.

Yet how the children fell for him,
Whooped with glee:

Guys so popular as Jim
Seldom be.

How old songs, sweet as a bell,
He would sing!

What grand stories he would tell,
Gesturin'!

Elders reckoned him a sot,
Sighin' sad;

But with tiny toddlers what
Sport he had!

Might have had a brood, they said,
Of his own;

Lost his wife in childbirth bed,
Left him lone . . .

Well, now he is cold an' still,
Here's to him:

Kids an' mothers always will
Bless old Jim.