From The Tacoma Times, January 13, 1914. By Berton Braley.
I serve the Lords of Laughter,
I serve the gods of mirth,
I make the world a dafter
And yet a gladder earth;
When woes grow thick and thicker
And life seems inky black,
By magic of a snicker
I drive the sorrows back.
I serve the Lords of Laughter
And oh, I love to wake
The roar that shakes the rafter
And makes the midriff quake;
I care not for the flouting
Of bards who sneer at me
If I can hear the shouting
Of great and gorgeous glee!
Oh, may the songs I sing you
Lift every heavy cloud,
And may I always bring you
Clean laughter, long and loud!
So when I pass hereafter
This truth the world may tell,
“He served the Lords of Laughter
And always served them well!”