Dermot don't you look healthy now and you
dress so neat and clean
I do not see you drunken now tell me where
you have been
You're wife and family are of wealth you
once did use them strange
But you are kinder to them now how came
this happy change
It was a dream a warning voice that heaven
sent t o me
To snatch me from a drunkard's curse grim
want and misery
My wages all I spend in drink oh what
a wretch adieu
I almost broke my Mary's heart and I starved
my children too
What was a home or wife to me I heeded
not her sighs
Her patient smile had welcomed me whilst
tears they filled her eyes
My children to me oft times spoke oh father
dear they said
Poor mother has been weeping so because
we have no bread
My Mary's smile had waste away I saw her
weeping eyes
On straw my babes in sickness lay
I heard their wailing cry
But I laughed and sang in a drunken joy
whilst Mary's tears did stream
Then like a beast I fell asleep and I
had this warning dream
I drempt one night I staggered home the
house in a solemn gloom
I miss my wife where can she be there
were strangers in the room
I heard them say poor thing she's dead
she lead a most wretched life
It was grief and want that broke her heart
for to be a drunkard's wife
I saw my children weeping round and I scarce
could draw my breath
They madly kissed the once warm lips that
are now so cold in death
Father they cried come wake her up the
people say she's dead
Oh make her smile and speak once more
we will never cry for bread
She is not dead I frantically cried and
I rushed to where she lay
I madly kissed the once warm lips that
were now as cold as clay
Oh Mary speak once more to me no more
I'll cause you pain
No more I'll break your loving heart or
ever drink again
Oh Mary speak it is Dermot why so I do
she cried
I woke to find my Mary there she was kneeling
by my side
I pressed her to my throbbing breast whilst
joyous tears did stream
And its ever since its heaven I'll bless
for sending me that dream