The Demon Drink - William Topaz McGonagall

Out damned scotch
> THE DEMON DRINK
> by William McGonagall
>
> Oh, thou demon Drink, thou fell destroyer;
> Thou curse of society, and its greatest annoyer.
> What hast thou done to society, let me think?
> I answer thou hast caused the most of ills, thou demon Drink.
>
> Thou causeth the mother to neglect her child,
> Also the father to act as he were wild,
> So that he neglects his loving wife and family dear,
> By spending his earnings foolishly on whisky, rum and beer.
>
> And after spending his earnings foolishly he beats his wife-
> The man that promised to protect her during life-
> And so the man would if there was no drink in society,
> For seldom a man beats his wife in a state of sobriety.
>
> And if he does, perhaps he finds his wife fou',
> Then that causes, no doubt, a great hullaballo;
> When he finds his wife drunk he begins to frown,
> And in a fury of passion he knocks her down.
>
> And in that knock down she fractures her head,
> And perhaps the poor wife she is killed dead,
> Whereas, if there was no strong drink to be got,
> To be killed wouldn't have been the poor wife's lot.
>
> Then the unfortunate husband is arrested and cast into jail,
> And sadly his fate he does bewail;
> And he curses the hour that ever was born,
> And paces his cell up and down very forlorn.
>
> And when the day of his trial draws near,
> No doubt for the murdering of his wife he drops a tear,
> And he exclaims, "Oh, thou demon Drink, through thee I must die,"
> And on the scaffold he warns the people from drink to fly,
>
> Because whenever a father or a mother takes to drink,
> Step by step on in crime they do sink,
> Until their children loses all affection for them,
> And in justice we cannot their children condemn.
>
> The man that gets drunk is little else than a fool,
> And is in the habit, no doubt, of advocating for Home Rule;
> But the best Home Rule for him, as far as I can understand,
> Is the abolition of strong drink from the land.
>
> And the men that get drunk in general wants Home Rule;
> But such men, I rather think, should keep their heads cool,
> And try and learn more sense, I most earnestlty do pray,
> And help to get strong drink abolished without delay.
>
> If drink was abolished how many peaceful homes would there be,
> Just, for instance in the beautiful town of Dundee;
> then this world would be heaven, whereas it's a hell,
> An the people would have more peace in it to dwell
>
> Alas! strong drink makes men and women fanatics,
> And helps to fill our prisons and lunatics;
> And if there was no strong drink such cases wouldn't be,
> Which would be a very glad sight for all christians to see.
>
> O admit, a man may be a very good man,
> But in my opinion he cannot be a true Christian
> As long as he partakes of strong drink,
> The more that he may differently think.
>
> But no matter what he thinks, I say nay,
> For by taking it he helps to lead his brither astray,
> Whereas, if he didn't drink, he would help to reform society,
> And we would soon do away with all inebriety.
>
> Then, for the sake of society and the Church of God,
> Let each one try to abolish it at home and abroad;
> Then poverty and crime would decrease and be at a stand,
> And Christ's Kingdom would soon be established throughout the land.
>
> Therefore, brothers and sisters, pause and think,
> And try to abolish the foul fiend, Drink.
> Let such doctrine be taught in church and school,
> That the abolition of strong drink is the only Home Rule.
>
>

Posted via email from poobumwee's posterous