| Thank you for your collaboration
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| You were a most esteemed
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| Collaborationist
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| And your great spirit of sacrifice
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| And all the time you spent
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| On our common cause
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| Will never be forgotten;
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| And in the future
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| You can be sure
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| We will always take into account
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| Your noble teachings
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| And of course your seriousness, versatility
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| And great humanity
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| More than colleagues
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| We were family
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| Please let me know then
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| At your earliest convenience
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| Where to deposit the amount owed
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| And what remains
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| Of your fees
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| We wanted to give a party, too
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| Nothing too special
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| Just a farewell glass of wine but
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| As you know, your reserve
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| And your aversion
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| To any form or gesture of greeting—
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| Some thought it arrogance
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| But only because
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| They didn’t really know you
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| So they’ve asked me
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| Who have always
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| Been your closest
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| Collaborator
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| Among all those
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| You work with
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| And please don’t trouble yourself to come by
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| Because we will see to
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| Returning your personal belongings
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| And everything else
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| That you left behind
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| I can’t even imagine
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| All that you’ll be able to do
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| With your time, no longer under a boss
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| You surely have a passion
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| A dream, an old desire
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| And finally the chance arises
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| To give yourself body and soul
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| To what only yesterday
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| Had seemed an illusion
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| Believe me, it may be true, we’re alike
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| But passions are what make us
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| Different and a little special
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| Enclosed please find for your review
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| The account settlement statement
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| Along with my most distinguished
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| Sincerest, and kindest regards |