Poetry Archives

After working hard all day
          In the office,
How much worse on homeward way
          My old cough is!
Barney’s Bar is gaily lit,
          Let me stop there;
Just to buck me up a bit
          Have a drop there.

As I stand beside the screen
          Hesitating,
I have thought of how Noreen
          Will be waiting;
Baby Patsy in her lap
          Gay and laughing,
While at Barney’s foaming tap
          I am quaffing.

Barney’s Bar is mighty bright,
          Looks so cheery.
Wonder what I’ll drink tonight?
          Gee! I’m weary.
Will I have Scotch or Rye?
          Bourbon maybe . . .
Then I see with mental eye
          Wife and baby.

So I say ’tis malted milk
          I’ll be skoffin’;
Sooth my throttle sleek as silk,
          Ease my coughin’ . . .
Say, I love them two to death,
          Sure they miss me:
With no whisky on my breath
          How they’ll kiss me!