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 morn. And then with more throughout the day We were well fortified So we were merry glad and gay From morn 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. 84