Oh, Willie, you've come home, lad, Drunk, drunk, again. I thought you said last night You were going to abstain From all intoxicating drinks, But you did not tell me true, And we're in the midst of poverty, Whatever shall we do? My heart is almost broken, And my hopes are all in vain, You said you'd sign "teetotal," But you're drunk, drunk, again. Oh, Willie, I'd no thought, The day that we were wed, That I should have my little ones Crying out for bread; But, oh, that cursed drink, Our home it has destroyed, Which makes me almost rue the day That I became your bride. My heart is almost broken, And my hopes are all in vain, You said you'd join "teetotal," But you're drunk, drunk, again. Oh, Willie, you're a foolish lad, To drink in such a way, A suit of black you used to wear Upon the Sabbath day; But now in rags and dirt With drunkards you do roam, Neglecting both your family And your once happy home. For my heart is almost broken, And my hopes are all in vain; You said you'd sign "teetotal," But you're drunk, drunk, again. Oh, Willie, you got drunk last night, And I'm sure you could not stand, You beat me most severely To comply with your demand That I'd give money for to drink, While you know that very day I had to pawn my dress and shawl Our landlord for to pay. So then take my advice, Willie, From drinking do abstain, Look to your wife and family, And ne'er get drunk again. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A GRAMMARIAN'S FUNERAL by ROBERT BROWNING TO THE UNKNOWN EROS: BOOK 1: 3. WINTER by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE SOMETIMES WITH ONE I LOVE by WALT WHITMAN ON THE DEATH OF WALLER by APHRA BEHN THE FOREST POOL by MATHILDE BLIND MAXIMS FOR THE OLD HOUSE: THE KEEPING-ROOM by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH |