His famous face will make you smile,
a star of screen and stage.
The Comic Touch and looks beguile,
a showman of his age.
Though minist'ry was once his cry,
he'd sing a fond Bye, Bye
(this) Birdie yearned to reach the sky,
to spread his wings and fly.
Enlistment in the milit'ry,
would prove too great a climb.
With flying service not to be,
this marked his Step in Time.
For entertaining troops on air
would set his path just right -
an option for this man with flair-
Let's Go (and) Fly a Kite.*
His easy tone, engaging wit
had caught the public ear.
On TV too he scored a hit,
his Laurel* style so dear.
The Girls Against the Boys would see
his debut Broadway role.
With music in his soul he'd be
en route to share his goal.
Then in his Van Dyke Show he'd soar
with Mary Tyler Moore.
This sitcom pair would charm for sure
with dance, romance galore.
The sixties surge would see fame heap
more glory mid the whinge-
his Mary Poppins' chimneysweep
would make the British cringe!
But, though his gloss seemed ever bright,
he hid a secret shame.
The Morning After shone a light
on drink, a hapless game.
He mastered this through steel and grit,
resolved to thrive, go far
in Murder myst'ries, cartoon strip*,
and Chitty's flying car.
This Music Man has married twice
with children counting four.
He shares with kin his wise advice
in roles they too explore.
In showbiz terms he's been astute
and sought his path and pace;
avoided too much bitter fruit,
Put on a Happy Face.
Still going strong at ninety eight,
an icon and a beau.
His comedy will ne'er abate
for What a Way to Go!
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