Book 2 — I Have Drank My Last Glass

No, comrades, I thank you—not any for me;

My last chain is riven—henceforward I'm free!

I will go to my home and my children to-night

With no fumes of liquor their spirits to blight;

And, with tears in my eyes, I will beg my poor wife

To forgive me the wreck I have made of her life.

I have never refused you before? Let that pass,

For I've drank my last glass, boys,

I have drank my last glass.

Just look at me now, boys, in rags and disgrace,

With my bleared, haggard eyes, and my red, bloated face;

Mark my faltering step and my weak, palsied hand,

And the mark on my brow that is worse than Cain's brand;

See my crownless old hat, and my elbows and knees,

Alike, warmed by the sun, or chilled by the breeze.

Why, even the children will hoot as I pass;—

But I've drank my last glass, boys,

I have drank my last glass.

You would hardly believe, boys, to look at me now

That a mother's soft hand was pressed on my brow—

When she kissed me, and blessed me, her darling, her pride,

Ere she lay down to rest by my dead father's side;

But with love in her eyes, she looked up to the sky

Bidding me meet her there and whispered "Good-bye."

And I'll do it, God helping! Your smile I let pass,

For I've drank my last glass, boys,

I have drank my last glass.

Ah! I reeled home last night, it was not very late,

For I'd spent my last sixpence, and landlords won't wait

On a fellow who's left every cent in their till,

And has pawned his last bed, their coffers to fill.

Oh, the torments I felt, and the pangs I endured!

And I begged for one glass—just one would have cured,—

But they kicked me out doors! I let that, too, pass,

For I've drank my last glass, boys,

I have drank my last glass.

At home, my pet Susie, with her rich golden hair,

I saw through the window, just kneeling in prayer;

From her pale, bony hands, her torn sleeves hung down,

And her feet, cold and bare, shrank beneath her scant gown,

And she prayed—prayed for bread, just a poor crust of bread,

For one crust, on her knees my pet darling plead!

And I heard, with no penny to buy one, alas!

For I've drank my last glass, boys,

I have drank my last glass.

For Susie, my darling, my wee six-year-old,

Though fainting with hunger and shivering with cold,

There, on the bare floor, asked God to bless me!

And she said, "Don't cry, mamma! He will; for you see,

I believe what I ask for!" Then sobered, I crept

Away from the house; and that night, when I slept,

Next my heart lay the PLEDGE! You smile! let it pass,

For I've drank my last glass, boys

I have drank my last glass.

My darling child saved me! Her faith and her love

Are akin to my dear sainted mother's above!

I will make my words true, or I'll die in the race,

And sober I'll go to my last resting place;

And she shall kneel there, and, weeping, thank God

No drunkard lies under the daisy-strewn sod!

Not a drop more of poison my lips shall e'er pass,

For I've drank my last glass, boys,

I have drank my last glass.