Good poetry can take as many verses as it takes, not one more, not one less. A good performance with varied tone can help to some extent, but may not even be necessary. A "billy" on the fire and a true-blue Aussie reciting "powertray" from days of yore, what could be finer to fill the bloody long time till the tea is ready? Bruce, do "McDougall" again!

Songwriters nowadays should make sure the tune carries through. Best make use of bridges, variations and other devices that make the music more exciting. If you have something to say, people will listen.

The "12 Days of Christmas" can still serve as a model, and are rightly popular in spite of their somewhat absurd lyrics – or because of them.