The little Vagabond (Notebook)



 The little [A pretty del.] Vagabond 

Dear mother, Dear Mother, the church is cold But the alehouse is healthy & pleasant & warm; Besides I can tell where I am us'd well. [Such usage in heaven makes all go to hell. del.] The poor parsons with wind like a blown bladder swell.

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 livelong day, Nor ever once wish from the Church to stray.

Then the parson might preach, & drink, & 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, [that joys for del.] rejoicing to see His children as pleasant & happy as he, Would have no more quarrel with the devil or the Barrel, [But shake hands & kiss him & there'd be no more hell. del.] But kiss him & give him both [food del.] drink & apparel. ________________________________________