To Fiona On Her Birthday

You are three years old Fiona at beginning of life's way
And I hope you had a good party and a wonderful birthday
Just a three year little lady and yet too young to know
That life's pathway isn't rosy thorns on life's pathway grow.

You come from good stock Fiona from a noble family tree
The Kellehers of Birkenhead Avenue a respected family
Born in the Lucky Country but still Irish to the core
As your roots came to Australia from that distant emerald shore.

Know your father Mick, Fiona he's a good fellow your dad
And we went to school together known him since I was a lad
He has always been a good friend truest friend I've ever had
And he's still the same Mick Kelleher in him not one ounce of bad.

And your mother Rose the Aussie from woman kind stand apart
She's a good and kindly woman she is blessed with a kind heart
And her ancestors came from Ireland so you've got Irish blood from either side
And you've got something to live up to and that's dignity and pride.

When I first saw you Fiona you were standing in bare feet
In your grand parents concrete back yard in Ireland near Millstreet
And methought there's one healthy girlie she will live to ripe old age
She will live way beyond eighty right up to life's final page.

My one wish for you Fiona is that you ever could
Remain as you are now in your innocent childhood
Free of guilt and guileless and unburdened by life's care
And happy as wild songbird when he pipes his merry air.

Happy birthday to you Fiona though the greeting may be late
It is better late than never though time and tide for no one wait
And I wish you lots of happy birthdays and my sincerest wish for you
Is that you'll get what you want most in life and may all of your dreams come true.