One day as I was walking home

From St Francis of Assisi school

A little boy of eight or nine

I said a little prayer to up above

“Dear Jesus, Mary, and Joseph too,

please let me find a silver sixpence

so I can buy some fruity chews,

and perhaps some black jacks too”

Now I said this more

In hope than expectation

But imagine my surprise

Glee, and exultation

When I saw clearly

On the pavement down below

One shiny, silver sixpence

Which I knew was meant for me

And headed for the sweet shop

To fill my pockets

With fruity chews

And blackjacks too

And I said another prayer

Of thanks and gratitude

To Jesus, Mary, and Joseph too

For I truly believed

In all the dogma I had learnt

From priests, and teachers

And especially my mum

Now I must confess

(as is the Catholic way)

That I am now somewhat older

And maybe just a wee bit wiser

But I will always remember

The day I said a prayer

To Jesus, Mary, and Joseph too

And found on the pavement

A shiny, silver sixpence

Nicholas O'Farrell 2025