Minnetonka Songs ‎#76

76. We Wage a Mighty War

1 We wage a mighty war, boys,
Against a mighty foe!
Who thro' our land with busy hand
Is spreading want and woe;
He's sadden'd many a light heart,
And many a thousand slain;
Then come, with us your voice to raise,
And bid man-kind abstain.

Chorus:
We wage a mighty war, boys,
Against a mighty foe!
Who thro' our land with busy hand
Is spreading want and woe:
He's sadden'd many a light heart,
And many a thousand slain;
Then come with us, your voice to raise,
And bid man-kind abstain.

2 Our poorhouses are filled, boys,
With paupers drink has made;
The cash which would support them, boys,
To ginshops has been paid:
And we've those poor to keep, boys,
Tho' naught we have to spare;
The landlords 'tis should do this, boys,
For they have sent them there. [Chorus]

3 If strong drink from our land, boys,
Were swept away, to-night,
Some of our prison-houses
Would close their portals quite,
And one half of the police force,
For which we're taxed to pay,
Without it would have naught to do,
For so our rulers say. [Chorus]

Text Information

• First Line: We wage a mighty war, boys
• Title: We Wage a Mighty War
• Refrain First Line: We wage a mighty war, boys,
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1879
• Topic: For Temperance Occasions
• Notes: Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: [We wage a mighty war, boys]
• Composer: James McGranahan, by per.
• Key: B♭ Major
• Notes: Public Domain.