AN ULSTERMAN I do not like the other sort; They're tricky an' they're sly, An' couldn't look you in the face Whenever they pass by. Still I'll give in that here an' there, You'll meet a decent man; I would make an exception, now, About wee Michael Dan. But, then he's from about the doors, An' lived here all his days, An', mixin' with us in an' out, He's fell into our ways. He pays his debts an' keeps his word An' does the best he can. If only all the Papishes Were like wee Michael Dan! A better neighbour couldn't be. He borrows an' he lends; An' -- bar a while about the Twelfth When him an' me's not friends -- He'll never wait unil he's asked To lend a helpin' han', There's quite a wheen of Protestants I'd swop for Michael Dan. Of course he'd burn me at the stake, I know that very well; An' told me one day to my face I'm not too safe from hell. But when I backed a bill for him He met it like a man. There's sparks of Christianity About wee Michael Dan. So, while I have my private doubts About him reachin' heaven, His feet keep purty near the pad On six days out of seven; An' if it falls within the scope Of God Almighty's plan To save a single Papish soul, I hope it's Michael Dan. -- Lynn Doyle (b. 1875)