My Virtual Reading Room

Recipe for a Marriage

WITH A CURTSY TO MR. BURNS

John Anderson my jo, John,
When we were first acquaint,
I had a fault or so, John,
And you were less than saint.
But once we'd said a brave "I do"
And paid the parson's fee,
I set about reforming you
And you reforming me.

John Anderson my jo, John,
Our years have journeyed fair;
I think, as couples go, John,
We've made a pleasant pair.
For us, contented man and wife,
The marriage bond endures,
Since you have changed my way of life
And I have altered yours.

Let captious people say, John,
There's poison in that cup.
We found a simple way, John,
To clear each difference up.
We could not swap our virtues, John,
So this was our design:
All your bad habits I took on,
While you adopted mine.
Until the final lightnings strike,
It's comfortable to know
Our faults we share and share alike,
John Anderson my jo.

(Phyllis McGinley)