| The horse and the mule live for 30 years, And know nothing of wines and beers. The goat and sheep at 20 die, And never get a taste of Scotch and rye. The cow drinks water by the tonne, And at 18 is mostly done Without the aid of gin and rum. The cat in milk and water soaks, And then in 12 short years it croaks. The modest, sober, bone-dry hen, Lays eggs for others, then dies at 10. All animals are strictly dry, They sinless live and swiftly die. But sinful, ginful, rum-soaked men, Survive for three score years and ten. And some of them, though very few, Stay pickled till they're 92! So shed a tear, drink a beer, Celebrate the past, toast the future and have a Happy New Year !!! |