A Simple Handshake

Used to be that a simple handshake would seal the deal, And a feller's word was as sound as tempered steel! Of his legal obligations a feller never needed remindin', Since his handshake and his word was ever bindin'! In olden days, corporations were built by the shake of a hand. Simple trust and honesty once prevailed throughout the land. Nowadays, a handshake is risky and could lead to litigation, With legions of corporate lawyers seeking compensation! Deals were struck with handshakes and a tot of whiskey. In yesteryear, such alliances were considered much less risky. Didn't need platoons of pesky attorneys prowlin' around, With their reams of perplexin' contracts to confound! Farmers didn't solicit advice from legal sources, When sellin' crops, breedin' hogs or tradin' horses! They'd never hire a lawyer with his jaundiced view, When a simple handshake among his peers would do. In days of yore, business could be conducted without peril, With a handshake across the top of a whiskey barrel. Now, hordes of lawyers wearin' Rolex watches and Gucci shoes, Require reams of clauses to befuddle and confuse!