The 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 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 church to stray;


Then the parson might preach and drink and sing.
And we'd be happy as birds in 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
Her children as pleasant amd happy as he:
Would have no more quarrel with Devil or the Barrel,
But kiss him and give him both drink and apparel.


-by William Blake