I want to share a lyric observation about "Joke and Push About the Pitcher". All the sources I have used to learn the song indicate the chorus as this:

"It's not yet day. It's not yet day.
Why should we forsake good liquor?
Until the sunbeams round us play,
Let's joke and push about the pitcher."

"It's Not Yet Day" is sometimes listed as an alternate title. The sentiment of that line seems to coyly suggest "Don't stop now, because IT'S NOT YET DAY - not even close! - we've got HOURS to go!" :)

I've heard a few singers replace "It's NOT YET day", with "It's ALMOST day", which, to my ear sounds much less playful - the end of the party is clearly in sight. :(

Contrast these two statements:
"I'm not dead yet!" with "I'm almost dead!"

Which speaker are you going to pass the bottle to?

Please do share your thoughts! Perhaps someone can speak to how/where/why "ALMOST" has bumped "NOT YET" in some repertoires.