Little Vagabond

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 used 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
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