STRONG DRINK by Thomas Robert Williamson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 12, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 37.

STRONG DRINK.

By Thomas Robert Williamson

THERE'S a drink that the whales, the walruses, the seals, Alligators, great turtles, white bears, and the eels All love to partake of before and at meals, Is it cider?—Well, no; it's cold water.

And the elephants, lions, giraffes, kangaroos, Hippopotami, tigers, the swift cariboos— The strongest of God's creatures a beverage use— A strong drink—is it beer?—No; 'tis water.

When the work horse, reeked with sweat, comes in at the noon, Hungry, weary, and craving more power as a boon, What will keep his strength up, and not once pull it down? Is it whisky?—O, no; it is water!

If the horse should drink whisky, 'twould soon make him sick, And the next time you brought it, he'd probably kick; If he only knew how, he'd launch out with a brick. He wants drink that is strong, like cold water.

Now if all the strong beasts are kept strong in this way By using cold water as their drink every day, Then the water is strong, and that none can gainsay. Drink no brandy for strength—drink cold water.

You attach a great wheel to the shaft of a mill; Would you run it with gin?—No; no such poor swill Does the work of this world. You just turn down the hill A volume of force—that's cold water.

Water carries the ships that weigh thousands of tons, And it gives them their steam for ten-thousand-mile runs, And it mauls the great rocks like a million of guns. If you want to find strength, take cold water.

Down it pours from the skies when the thunder roars out, And it hastens the day when, with song and with shout, The big harvest rolls wealth o'er the land, in and out. Is it liquor does this?—No; 'tis water.

Of course, liquor has strength of a certain mean kind; It can bubble and froth, and break down peace of mind; It is strong to breed hate, to destroy humankind. That is alcohol's strength—give me cold water.

Thank God for the beverage made by His hand, That is strong to spread roses and fruit o'er the land. Let us praise our dear Father for this present so grand, And for strong drink take only cold water.

THOMAS ROBERT WILLIAMSON. Oakland, Cal.