Classic Poem

For the sole edification
Of this decent congregation,
Goodly people, by your grant
I will sing a holy chant—
—I will sing a holy chant.
If the ditty sound but oddly,
'Twas a father, wise and godly,
—Sang it so long ago—
Then sing as Martin Luther sang,
As Doctor Martin Luther sang:
“Who loves not wine, woman, and song,
He is a fool his whole life long!”

He, by custom patriarchal,
Loved to see the beaker sparkle;
And he thought the wine improved,
Tasted by the lips he loved—
—By the kindly lips he loved.
Friends, I wish this custom pious
Duly were observèd by us,
—To combine love, song, wine,
And sing as Martin Luther sang,
As Doctor Martin Luther sang:
“Who loves not wine, woman, and song,
He is a fool his whole life long!”

Who refuses this our Credo,
And who will not sing as we do,
Were he holy as John Knox,
I'd pronounce him heterodox!
—I'd pronounce him heterodox,
And from out this congregation,
With a solemn commination,
—Banish quick the heretic,
Who will not sing as Luther sang,
As Doctor Martin Luther sang:
“Who loves not wine, woman, and song,
He is a fool his whole life long!”