"The Workingman's Friend," Flann O'Brien

Irish poet and playwright Flann O'Brien, born Brian Ó Nualláin, published At Swim-Two-Birds in 1939. It should not go unremarked that he also wrote "The Workingman's Friend" about the consolations of porter, the drink that sees all men through their times of triumph as well as tribulation. In honor of the occasion of the feast of St. Patrick, let all raise a glass to the memory of the good Irishman, who had the humor to die on April Fool's Day, 1966.

“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 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 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."