Temperance Song

Our native land, on every hand,
Is scourged by an enslaver,
Whose blighting breath presages death
And family ties doth sever.
Ensnaring prey by night and day
Through custom's fascination;
Thus, thousands fall, both great and small
By vile inebriation.

CHORUS:  Let us work on incessantly
         Our country to deliver;
         With hearts resolved on victory
         We'll crush the foe for ever.

The Temperance plan, which leads the van
Against the drink temptation,
Will yet o'erthrow this direful foe
And bless a sober nation.
The people, then, will act as men
Who health and comfort cherish;
And, thus set free, rejoice to see
The drinking system perish.

The coming day, for which we pray,
We'll toil with zeal to hasten;
While earnest men, by tongue and pen,
Persuade mankind to listen.
Then, persevere, till it appear,
By Temperance truth's diffusion,
That, come what may, we'll win the day,
And quench the drink delusion.

• Tune (Hogg/Beethoven) gif midi mov
• Tune (Scots Musical Museum) gif midi mov

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Copyright © 2001, Jack Campin