A DRINKING SONG
Le mort vivant
When Ennui to my fortress hath carried the way —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But when Pleasure, her ample draughts bidding me drain,
Gaily brings to bear on me her battering train,
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
Does a fool of his money-box make a display —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But O Volnay, O Beaune, O Pomard, does one deign,
As you're handed, your flavor and age to explain —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
Are they settling the fate of poor Kings of to-day —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But discuss they their wines in true connoisseur strain,
Though the subject they push somewhat far in the main —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
To the North must we tramp it in battle array —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
By the fire, with a screen at our backs, would we fain
To hobnobbing alone our bravadoes restrain —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
Should a wit o'er a party pretend to hold sway —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
Lively couplets, though wit be not in them one grain,
Should he troll, and friends, quaffing, the chorus sustain —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
If a bigot's dull, drowsy discourse I essay —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But would Friendship a heart true and fervent enchain,
And a cellar well stocked as her convent ordain —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
See, his Lordship comes in — Freedom's off — she won't stay —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But let Phillis light on us at table — her brain
Let her only enliven with floods of Champagne —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
Must I needs give up drinking, my anchor to weigh —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But to let it go often, and here to remain,
Till at length, glass in hand, a fair breeze I obtain —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
Le mort vivant
When Ennui to my fortress hath carried the way —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But when Pleasure, her ample draughts bidding me drain,
Gaily brings to bear on me her battering train,
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
Does a fool of his money-box make a display —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But O Volnay, O Beaune, O Pomard, does one deign,
As you're handed, your flavor and age to explain —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
Are they settling the fate of poor Kings of to-day —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But discuss they their wines in true connoisseur strain,
Though the subject they push somewhat far in the main —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
To the North must we tramp it in battle array —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
By the fire, with a screen at our backs, would we fain
To hobnobbing alone our bravadoes restrain —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
Should a wit o'er a party pretend to hold sway —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
Lively couplets, though wit be not in them one grain,
Should he troll, and friends, quaffing, the chorus sustain —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
If a bigot's dull, drowsy discourse I essay —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But would Friendship a heart true and fervent enchain,
And a cellar well stocked as her convent ordain —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
See, his Lordship comes in — Freedom's off — she won't stay —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But let Phillis light on us at table — her brain
Let her only enliven with floods of Champagne —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!
Must I needs give up drinking, my anchor to weigh —
Oh, I'm dead, oh, I'm dead, my friends — pray for me, pray!
But to let it go often, and here to remain,
Till at length, glass in hand, a fair breeze I obtain —
I'm alive, quite alive, all alive again!