May the blessings of light be upon you,
Light without and light within.
And in all your comings and goings.
As you slide down the bannister of life,
May the splinters never point the wrong way!
May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.
May those who love us love us.
May God turn the hearts
of those that don’t love us
And if God doesn’t turn their hearts,
may God turn their ankles,
So we’ll know them by their limping.
May God grant you always…
A sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.
Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.
Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
a full moon on a dark night,
and the road downhill all the way to your door.
May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
When we drink, we get drunk.
When we get drunk, we fall asleep.
When we fall asleep, we commit no sin.
When we commit no sin, we go to heaven.
So, let’s all get drunk, and go to heaven!
There are good ships, and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are friendships,
And may they always be.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
And quick to make friends.
But rich or poor,
Quick or slow,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May you have food and raiment,
A soft pillow for your head,
May you be forty years in heaven
Before the devil knows you’re dead.
Here’s to the four hinges of society.
May you fight, steal, lie and drink.
When you fight, may you fight for your country.
When you steal, may you steal away from bad company.
When you lie, may you lie at the side of your sweetheart.
And when you drink, may you drink with me
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
And quick to make friends.
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears;
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean;
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Love your neighbor as much as yourself.
Get on your knees
and thank the Lord
you’re on your feet.
[PHOTO by Andreas F. Borchert of detail of stained glass window depicting Saint Brendan at St. Benin's Church, Kilbennan, County Galway, Ireland. The photographer continues to own the copyright, but allows the picture to be used with attribution. Thanks Wikimedia Commons]
