Whiskey the Soul of Revelry

Words: Edward Walsh
Air: ________________________________

Whiskey soul of revelry low in the mud you seat me
Possessed with all your devilry I challenge foes to beat me
Behold my coat to shreds is done my neck cloth down the wind has run
But I’ll forgive the deeds you’ve done if you tomorrow meet me

When after hearing Sunday mass and your good psalm reciting
Meet me at the wonted place ‘mid taverns joys delighting
Where polished quarts are shining oer the well-cocked barrels on the floor
And long sweet rhymes a goodly store to grace my smiles inviting

My store my wealth my cousin bland my sister and my brother
My court my house my farm of land my stock I crave none other
My labour horses and my plough my white-fleeced sheep my cattle thou
And far beyond all these I vow to love you as a mother

Mild beautiful beloved one prized over all maid and misses
O! quit me not or I’m undone my fathers loved your kisses
My haunting sprite is rum I trow my blood relations draughts that glow
My gossip is the punchbowl O! I’ll haste to share their blisses

What quarrels dire we both have had this year of sorrow sable
But O! my bounding heart is glad to see you crown the table
Dear fondling of the nuptial nest my father kind my mother blest
My upper coat my inner vest I’ll hold you while I’m able

The friends the very best I saw while through the land a rover
Were brandy ale and usquebaugh of claret I’m no lover
This liquor may the clergy bless though great I deem their holiness
They like the claret ne’ertheless when Mass and psalm are over