Rob’s Birthday Paean

Caveat: The last line of this fine birthday song, written for Rob Castle, Cantor at the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, on the occasion of his 50th birthday, long ago, needs no word of explanation for those of you familiar with the traditional, rousing, Toronto birthday toast, “Here’s to so and so: he’s a horse’s ass.”
No disrespect is intended.
In fact it’s a badge of honour – in certain circles – to receive this sobriquet from friends and family.
To further curate the text, please understand that ‘clivis’, ‘pes’ and ‘torculus’ are the names of neumes: musical signs used in the notation of Gregorian chant.
One last note. The tune “ST BASIL” was written by Healey Willan and is usually sung to the words ‘Immortal, invisible’ etc…

Rob’s 50th Birthday Paean sung to the tune ‘ST BASIL’

O Robert, we love you, though you’re very old.
We pledge you our friendship through Hot, Warm, and Cold.
You sing like an angel, you run like a fox,
And sometimes your thinking is outside the box.

Your sense of adventure can take you away
To distant locations: Shanghai or Taipei.
Your journeys are MARV’LOUS, yet sometimes you’re vexed
When monkeys alarm you and snatch off your specs.

Who would have predicted that you’d lead a choir
Of men in ecclesiastical attire?
Or that you’d drive speedily from York down to us
To croon out your clivis, pes and torculus?

Now this lovely quatrain has come to an end.
We wish you the best our dear, generous friend.
Your wonderful guests will now all raise a glass,
(rit…) And sing you this honour: “He’s a horse’s ass.”