'Boy o' mine, boy o' mine, this is my prayer for you, <br />This is my dream and my thought and my care for you: <br />Strong be the spirit which dwells in the breast of you, <br />Never may folly or shame get the best of you; <br />You shall be tempted in fancied security, <br />But make no choice that is stained with impurity. <br /> <br />Boy o' mine, boy o' mine, time shall command of you <br />Thought from the brain of you, work from the hand of you; <br />Voices of pleasure shall whisper and call to you; <br />Luring you far from the hard tasks that fall to you; <br />Then as you're meeting life's bitterest test of men, <br />God grant you strength to be true as the best of men. <br /> <br />Boy o' mine, boy o' mine, singing your way along, <br />Cling to your laughter and cheerfully play along; <br />Kind to your neighbor be, offer your hand to him, <br />You shall grow great as your heart shall expand to him; <br />But when for victory sweet you are fighting there, <br />Know that your record of life you are writing there. <br /> <br />Boy o' mine, boy o' mine, this is my prayer for you; <br />Never may shame pen one line of despair for you; <br />Never may conquest or glory mean all to you; <br />Cling to your honor whatever shall fall to you; <br />Rather than victory, rather than fame to you, <br />Choose to be true and let nothing bring shame to you.'<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/boy-o-mine/
