To all $$#embled company we pray you now be still
And hearken ye both one and all unto the tale we'll tell
Of Joseph here, our father dear

And what his life doth bring
Of Joseph here, now eighty years
Of Joseph we do sing

Refrain
Of Joseph we do sing, of Joseph we do sing
Of Joseph here now eighty years

Of Joseph we do sing

This child was born of humble home in 1925

To do his best and study hard
Young Joseph he did strive
A scholarship to grammar school then university

He soon excelled in science and as captain of rugby
Refrain
As captain of rugby, as captain of rugby

Although we scarce believe it now as captain of rugby



He very soon did graduate to undertake his work
And to the Capital he came to pursue his research
An enquiring mind, he longed to find

The answer to his test
He came to the conclusion that
Young Shirley was the best

Refrain
Young Shirley was the best, young Shirley was the best
He came to the conclusion that

Young Shirley was the best



They very soon got married and then had a family
And within just six years were
born the brothers, one, two, three

The first was Paul, then Simon and Phil
To mum and dad's delight
Such bonny boys brought many joys

Til they began to fight
Refrain
Til they began to fight, til they began to fight

Such bonny boys brought many joys
Til they began to fight


And then in time came down the line
Two sisters Jane and Mary
With brothers three, a family

The clan was soon complete
Five girls and boys, with lots of noise
Begin to shout and sing

When you are near, it's hard to hear
Your voice above the din
Refrain

Your voice above the din, your voice above the din
When you are near, it's hard to hear
Your voice above the din


Now we've grown, we've brought our own
To join the growing family

Husbands and wives and grandchildren
aged nineteen down to one
And now we've come, we've scarce begun

To celebrate your birthday
So with great cheer, let's get a beer
Because the night is young

Refrain
Because the night is young, because the night is young
So with great cheer, let's get a beer

Because the night is young