The Workman’s Friend
When things go wrong and will not come right,
Though you do the best you can,
When life looks black as the hour of night-
A pint of plain is your only man.
When Money’s tight and is hard to get
And your horse has also ran,
When all you have is a heap of debt–
A pint of plain is your only man.
When health is bad and your heart feels strange,
And your face is pale and wan,
When doctors say that you need a change,
A pint of plain is your only man.
When food is scarce and your larder bare
And no rashers grease your pan,
When hunger grows as your meals are rare–
A pint of plain is your only man.
In time of trouble and lousy strife,
You have still got a darlint plan,
You still can turn to a brighter life-
A pint of plain is your only man.
From: At Swim Two Birds, cited in: A Flann O’ Brien Reader ed., Stephen Jones, The Viking Press, New York, 1978, p. 250.