Day in day out, it’s always the same
I never stop calling this patient saint’s name
I lost my keys, I lost my phone,
I lost my wallet, even the garden gnome
But it never fails when I call him out
He stops my frustrations and worrisome pouts
Tony, Tony turn around …
What once was lost, please make found
And just like that it never fails
My tears are dried, and I stop the wail
My item appears usually right in front of me
Oh to St. Anthony, thank you to thee
Next day comes and starts all over again
My wallet, my keys, my ball point pen
Do I have my phone, where is my book?
I know Anthony is sighing, did I take another look?
Of course, I did not, I just call on his name
Anthony to the rescue, it’s our little game
One day he’s going to just charge me a fee
Or a Divine referral to get checked for ADD
But one thing’s for sure next to the Heavenly gate
St. Anthony finds my item without haste
He’s my one true bud that keeps me sound
The original purveyor of the lost and found
So when you’ve lost that item for the umpteenth time
No need to worry, stress or to whine
Just simply repeat Tony Tony turn around …
What once was lost please make found
So I’ll turn around, twirl and laugh to myself
And most likely my item is there on the shelf
I’ll roll my eyes, but smile with glee
Because St. Anthony is always looking out for me.
The reason for invoking St. Anthony’s help in finding lost or stolen things is traced back to an incident in his own life. As the story goes, Anthony had lost a book of psalms that was very important to him. Besides, the value of any before the invention of printing, the psalter had the notes and comments he had made to use in teaching students in his Franciscan Order. A novice who had already grown tired of living religious life decided to depart the community. Besides going AWOL he also took Anthony’s psalter. Upon realizing his psalter was missing, Anthony prayed it would be returned to him. And after his prayer the thieving novice was moved to return the psalter to Anthony and also to return to the Order, which accepted him back.