The Spoonbill Generator

If all the world were turpentine [Roland]

And all the fish were socks [P]

If anyone knew Caroline [Roland]

Had lived inside a box [P]

If ice were aluminium [Roland]

If life were worth the tedium [P]

If all we knew were sacrosanct [Roland]

And ignorance were bliss [P]

If all the Saducees were ranked [TG]

By Judas, kiss for kiss [Roland]

If elephants had equipoise [TG]

To school unbalanced sailor-boys [Roland]

If all our foes were overcome [TG]

And three were not a crowd [Roland]

If all marched to a different drum [TG]

That seldom played aloud [Roland]

If time were not a subtle trick [P]

To drain all solace from the sick [Roland]

Why then, my friends, the truth would soar [TG]

On wings more swift than song! [Roland]

And then we'd know what life is for [P]

And why it seems so long. [Roland]

We'd know our purpose bright and true [TG]

And loads of other ballyhoo. [Roland]