Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BEN BARLEY, by GERARD BENSON



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BEN BARLEY, by                    
First Line: Ben barley was a barman stout
Last Line: Serve spirits in this bar.'
Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics; Hood, Thomas (1799-1845); Soldiers; Suicide; Drunkards; Alcohol Abuse


Ben Barley was a barman stout
Who drank both day and night,
Which made him heavy, dull and fat
Though all he drank was Light.

He slowly drank himself to death,
And at his wake so drear,
Although 'twas he who'd passed away,
The guests laid on the beer.

His ghost came in and asked for gin
In accents strange and far.
The landlord said, 'Clear off; we don't
Serve spirits in this bar.'





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