The Little Vagabond Otto Luening

Dear Mother, dear Mother, the Church is cold
But the Ale-house is healthy & pleasant & 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, & 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 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, & give him both drink and apparel