Ancestory

When speaking of our Ancestory

My mother 's eyes would shine,

And proudly she would tell us all,

"You're of the Tudor line."

But Father with a smile would say,

"While bearing that in mind,

You keep your eyes on goals ahead;

Not those that lie behind.

You have a noble ancestry,

But all are dead and gone,

'tis you who have to prove your worth,

Not those who've journeyed on.

And back along that Tudor line,

'tis sorry truth I state,

there may be some you can't approve,

And even some you'd hate.

The way to prove your ancestry

Is what you are yourself;

Not by the charted Family Tree

In book upon the shelf.

So try to be an ancestor

Within the time allowed,

Of whom your children's children

In the future can be proud."