[Some song titles in this thread have been converted to links by a Mudelf.]

Well, here it is for all of you to join in with the songs that bemoan lives ruined by rum, Irish whiskey, or other chemicals. Prohibition, temperance, prodigal sons and daughters, opium eaters,... whatever. I'll start with one that I couldn't find in the database. My source for this song is FOLK SONGS OF NORTH AMERICA by Alan Lomax, but the second verse is a verse that I wrote.

THE BAD GIRL

When I was a young girl, I used to seek pleasure
When I was a young girl, I used to drink ale.
Out of an ale house and right into a jailhouse.
Right out of a barroom and down into my grave.

So go tell my mama that my life is over.
And go tell my papa to dig me a grave.
My whole life was wasted by the liquor I tasted.
My body is ruined and I'm bound to die.

Come papa, come mama, and sit you down by me.
Come sit you down by me and pity my case.
My poor head is achin', my sad heart is breakin'
My body's salivated, and I'm bound to die.

Oh, send for the preacher to come and pray for me.
And send for the doctor to heal up my wounds.
My poor head is achin', my sad heart is breakin'.
My body's salivated and I'm bound to die.

I want four young ladies to bear up my coffin.
I want four young ladies to carry me on.
And each of them carry a bunch of wild roses.
To lay on my coffin as they pass along.


Alice in Montana