NAY, JOHN. (A Temperance Song,) “Nay,” John, “Nay,” John, that’s what you must say John, Wherever you are asked to drink, or you’ll be led astray, John Say that though you are not old, Nor yet so very wise, John, Yet what is right and good and true, You’re old enough to prize, John. Let the people drink who will, But when they come to you, John, Boldly say, “I’VE SIGNED THE PLEDGE, AND MEAN TO KEEP IT TOO,” John. “Nay,” John, “Nay,” John, that’s what you must say John, Whenever you are asked to drink, or you’ll be led astray, John. Think, John, think, John, what a thing is drink, John, From bad to worse, it mostly leads to death and ruin’s brink, John. You know your uncle Robert had As nice a house as mine, John, But, years ago, you know, as well, He swallowed it in wine, John, His trade is dead, his shop is shut, ’Twas drink that made him fail, John; He started with a single glass, And now he’s in the gaol, John. Use, John, use, John, winks at this abuse, John, And when you recommend the pledge, will patch up some excuse, John. Many drink because they’re cold, And some because they’re hot, John Many drink because they’re old, And some because they’re not, John; Many drink because they’re thin, And some because they’re stout, John; Many drink because they’re in, And some because they’re out, John. “Nay,” John. “Nay,” John, whatever they may say, John. Never touch and never taste, but always answer “Nay,” John. If they ask you only just To taste a little drop, John, Say you would if you knew where The “little drop” would stop, John. Tell them by gin and rum, By wine and malt and hops, John, That life and health, and peace and fame, Are drowned in “little drops,” John. Oh, John, oh, John, I’ll tell you what I know, John: _A drunken man o’er all the world, has most of grief and woe, John_. Then on the land and on the sea, In seasons hot and cold, John, Keep the pledge when you are young, And keep it when you’re old, John, Let the people drink who will, But when they come to you, John, Boldly say, “I’VE SIGNED THE PLEDGE, AND MEAN TO KEEP IT TOO, JOHN.” ――――