His Side Of The Story Poem by Francis Duggan

He said he feels so disappointed since she swore before God in the church
That till death she would love and stay with him and never leave him in the lurch
But after ten years of marriage she left him and took their eight and nine years old daughter and son
And though he feels so sad and hard done by I do suppose what's done is done.

He told me his side of the story how he loved her and to her was kind
And I searched my heart for sympathy for him though sympathy there for him I could not find
He seemed like he had one too many and I muttered I do understand
But maybe I ought to have told him that his problem he held in his hand

Perhaps in his right hand he was holding his problem an uncorked litre bottle of beer
But my truth I kept hidden from him there is such a thing known as fear
For he was a big and strong fellow perhaps of thirty and in his prime
And had I spoken my truth to him I might not be writing this rhyme.

To me the bloke a complete stranger and one I had not seen before
He finished his beer in one swallow and staggered out through the pub door
To see the back of him I was not sorry his sort of problem to so many known
And I was not one to advise him since I have problems of my own.

My sympathies with the woman who left him I feel her decision was right
'Twould not surprise me if he hit her when he staggered in home drunk at night
And perhaps he too hit the children the booze brings the worst out in men
And alcohol the downfall of many a marriage and abuse of it does seem a sin

He told me his side of the story how his wife and children had left when he went home one day
But I did not have the guts for to tell him that perhaps from him they are better away
He was big and strong and not happy and I muttered I do understand
And I felt too scared for to tell him that his problem he held in his hand