NO churchman am I for to rail and to write, <br />No statesman nor soldier to plot or to fight, <br />No sly man of business contriving a snare, <br />For a big-belly'd bottle's the whole of my care. <br /> <br /> <br />The peer I don't envy, I give him his bow; <br />I scorn not the peasant, though ever so low; <br />But a club of good fellows, like those that are here, <br />And a bottle like this, are my glory and care. <br /> <br /> <br />Here passes the squire on his brother-his horse; <br />There centum per centum, the cit with his purse; <br />But see you the Crown how it waves in the air? <br />There a big-belly'd bottle still eases my care. <br /> <br /> <br />The wife of my bosom, alas! she did die; <br />for sweet consolation to church I did fly; <br />I found that old Solomon proved it fair, <br />That a big-belly'd bottle's a cure for all care. <br /> <br /> <br />I once was persuaded a venture to make; <br />A letter inform'd me that all was to wreck; <br />But the pursy old landlord just waddl'd upstairs, <br />With a glorious bottle that ended my cares. <br /> <br /> <br />"Life's cares they are comforts"—a maxim laid down <br />By the Bard, what d'ye call him, that wore the black gown; <br />And faith I agree with th' old prig to a hair, <br />For a big-belly'd bottle's a heav'n of a care. <br /> <br /> <br />A STANZA ADDED IN A MASON LODGEThen fill up a bumper and make it o'erflow, <br />And honours masonic prepare for to throw; <br />May ev'ry true Brother of the Compass and Square <br />Have a big-belly'd bottle when harass'd with care.<br /><br />Robert Burns<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/no-churchman-am-i/
