Today I took a tour of my hometown

Today I took a tour of my hometown
What struck me most
Were the buildings -- how their use had changed
Far from the intent of those who built them
The fashionable Bank of Montreal
Now an Irish pub
Carnegie's magnificent public library
Now government offices, and space for rent.
Stately St. Ann's Academy
Government offices.
Proud, imposing Metropolitan Methodist
Now a theatre.

And the house where you live
In a century others will inhabit
Two centuries, demolished and rebuilt
Three centuries, a lawyer's office or public market.