No.112

The Little Vagabond

William Blake 1757-1827

Dear Mother, dear Mother, the Church is cold, 

But the Ale-house is healthy and pleasant and warm; 

Besides I can tell where I am use'd well, 

Such usage in heaven will never do well. 

   But if at the Church they would give us some Ale. 

And a pleasant fire, our souls to regale; 

We'd sing and we'd pray, all the live-long day; 

Nor ever once wish from the Church to stray, 

   Then the Parson might preach and drink and sing. 

And we'd be as happy as birds in the spring: 

And modest dame Lurch, who is always at Church, 

Would not have bandy children nor fasting nor birch. 

   And God like a father rejoicing to see, 

His children as pleasant and happy as he: 

Would have no more quarrel with the Devil or the Barrel 

But kiss him and give him both drink and apparel.

-o0o-