A beginning for an end

Today is a happy day
today is an odious day

true that a baby is born brings good news
but then a well loved man died leaving nothing but the blues

one gained the right to rise and shine
the other gave it all up but he thought it fine

a requiem is played in the funeral parlor on ethel street
but at the hospital the ode to joy is

the baby's life will be filled all the more
the man's time rests on that distant shore

do not feel sorry for that sad old man
for a new life is started wherewith his love has no span