Do The Best Ye Kin 

(or can)

If ye cannot in this old world, Be a moon, a star, a sun,
Shinin' out in all your glory, Tis the race of life is run,
Ye kin be a little old tin can, Reflectin' back the rays
Ye kin brighten up the backyard Durin' many troubled days,

If ye cannot on the ocean, Be a whale that spouts an blows,
Lashin with the tail the billows, Where the great tide ebbs and flows,
Ye can be a little gold fish , Swimmin' in a bowl at home
Ye can be a happy gold fish, And ye'll never care to roam

If ye cannot in the heavens, Ride the clouds and pierce the blue,
Makin' men look up an' wonder, Where ye're from an what ye do,
Ye can maybe drive an old car, Through on the ground you'll have to stay
Ye can lift a thumbin' traveler, Ye can help him on his way

If ye cannot be the mayor in ye're little old home town
Makin of them ordinaces, That'll bring to ye renown,
Ye can be an old tile ditcher, And can open up the drain
Leadin' from the mayer's basement, An' can make him smile again

Yes, ye can be the lesser if ye cannot be the more
If not a star then a tin can, then a sittin by yere door
Sittin there reflectin, The moon the stars the sun
Lighten up yere back yard, Until yere race is run

Blanche Hagaman Melvin was a school teacher for 33 years in Livingston County, IL., She was born Dec. 31, 1880 at Rural Chatsworth IL., and died September 29, 1974 at the age of 93. She was the daughter of John and Margaret S. Carver Hagaman. She married James R. Melvin in Chatsworth, IL., on October1,1913 after they were married they lived in Pleasant Ridge Township, IL.

~ Blanche Hagaman Melvin ~

Blanche was my third great aunt.
Poem Courtesy of: 

~ Linda  Heffner ~ 

(my cousin)