Collected by
Mary Celestia Parler;
Transcribed by
Neil Byer
Jimmie Morris
Timbo, Ark.
November 5, 1954
Reel 213, Item 6
The Wine-Bibber's Grave
("This is 'The Wine Bibber's Grave,' another song
that Grandpa even used lots of times in singing schools
and church. Grandfather said that was one song that
Carrie Nation used to love to hear him sing...")
Oh, dark is the night, and the wild storm doth rattle,
As fast falls the cold, drifting sleet,
And the white pavement groans 'neath the dull, heavy
shuffle
Of a poor drunkard's slow-moving feet.
Chorus: Oh, there's wine in the cup,
And its barrels (?) sag with glitter,
And it foams like a crest on the wave,
Drawing men on its tide
Where they float like a bubble,
Going down to a wine-bibber's grave.
Oh, dark is the night, and the poor dying mother
Softly grieves as along the movement drags,
And the poor helpless form of her child she doth cover
With her poor scanty clothing of rags.
(Chorus)
Oh, dark is the night; the fathers and mothers,
As they kneel by their bedsides to pray,
Curse the wine in the glass, for the children it smothers,
As they beg God to take it away.
(Chorus)
