Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TEMPERANCE SONG, by GEORGE NEAVES


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TEMPERANCE SONG, by                    
First Line: I'm very fond of water
Last Line: When qualified aright.
Subject(s): Temperance; Prohibition


A New Temperance Song
(Adapted from the Platt Deutsch)
I'm very fond of water,
I drink it noon and night:
Not Rechab's son or daughter
Had therein more delight.

I breakfast on it daily;
And nectar it doth seem,
When once I've mixed it gaily
With sugar and with cream.
But I forgot to mention
That in it first I see
Infused or in suspension,
Good Mocha or Bohea.

Chorus—
I'm very fond of water,
I drink it noon and night;
No mother's son or daughter
Hath therein more delight.

At luncheon, too, I drink it,
And strength it seems to bring:
When really good, I think it
A liquor for a king.
But I forgot to mention—
'Tis best to be sincere—
I use an old invention
That makes it into Beer.
I'm very fond of water, etc.

I drink it, too, at dinner;
I quaff it full and free,
And find, as I'm a sinner,
It does not disagree,
But I forgot to mention—
As thus I drink and dine,
To obviate distension,
I join some Sherry wine.
I'm very fond of water, etc.

And then when dinner's over,
And business far away,
I feel myself in clover,
And sip my eau sucrée.
But I forgot to mention—
To give the glass a smack,
I add, with due attention,
Glenlivet or Cognac.
I'm very fond of water, etc.

At last when evening closes,
With something nice to eat,
The best of sleeping doses
In water still I meet.
But I forgot to mention—
I think it not a sin
To cheer the day's declension,
By pouring in some Gin.
I'm very fond of water:
It ever must delight
Each mother's son or daughter—
When qualified aright.





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