A Wish

IF GOD should come and say to me:
"What is your dearest wish to be?
What high position do you crave
This side of Heaven and the grave? "
I 'd merely say: "Pray let me be
The father of a family."
I would not ask 'to' rule the land,
To live within a palace grand,
I would not ask for wealth or fame,
To write in history my name;
I 'd merely say: "Pray let me be
The father of a family."
Oh, little girl upon my knee,
Your daddy I would rather be
Than any king or prince or earl;
And so, you see, my little girl,
Just why your daddy's always glad,
His fondest, dearest wish he's had.