Some leaders leave life legends
Like Coach Vince or Coach Parseghian
While others have a legacy
That’s far more Captain Queegian
It’s best, the ancient wisdom goes,
(My point is nothing new-ish)
To end “la vie” victoriously
And not so Waterlooish
For everyone among us
And we’ve all been born to die
It’s not the way you say hello
It’s how you say good-bye
It’s not a sin to stumble in
But friends, without a doubt
What’s sure to be remembered is
Your trip on the way out
I think of Richard Nixon, Roseanne Barr
And Woody Hayes
Remembered for an hour
And not all their better days
And how that single moment
Regardless what they won
Contaminates the memory
Of everything they’ve done
No matter the accomplishments
It all may seem a waste
And leave both friends and enemies
A bitter, bitter taste
Is it fair to recognize
The flat and not the fizz?
I don’t think that it should be
But that’s the way it is
And if you once agreed with me
And don’t like how I’m trending
Remember that we still don’t know
Just how this story’s ending
