Vanished Joys*

By Tom Lewis

The times are dull now at the Bay The prohibition law

Has closed the barrooms and for aye Has vanished usqubae.‘

This is a big mistake we think

For which we sorely rue

For now small beer must be our drink Instead of mountain dew.

This is the spot in days of yore Where there was mirth and glee When we had vendors half a score Retailing barley bree.

Their goods direct from far Fayall From Leith and Rotterdam

Were then so cheap that we could all Afford to take a dram.

With no desire for drinking deep

We duly took a horn

To soothe the nerves so we could sleep From eve to dewy mom.

And then with more throughout the day We were well fortified

So we were merry glad and gay

From mom to eventide.

Save when we were by care oppressed As all betimes will be

Even when we ne‘er sat down distressed To nurse our misery.

We then took Solomon’s advice When we were sad and sore

And drowned our sorrows in a trice With bumpers flowing o’er.

But now few happy hours have we The barmaids all have gone

And still it grieves us more to see The empty demijohn.

But come what may by foul or fair I’ll strive through rain and shine To get a jar of something rare

To cheer this heart of mine.

* The date this poem was written is unknown. * Usqubae is the Gaelic word for whiskey.