Rhymes by Review Readers

Abstract

The Band of Hope Review changed its style with the new century, and by 1906 readers had the pleasure of seeing their work in print. These rhymes, like the tract also shown in this exhibition, shows the engagement of children with spreading the temperance message.

Come, rally round our banner,
And join our Temperance band.
If everybody signs the pledge,
Strong Drink can never stand.
Hugh Mitchell, Glasgow.

A Girls’s Resolve.
Ill always try to keep my pledge,
Wherever I may be :
At school, at play, or when at work,
Shall be alike to me.
Mina Davidson, Carlisle.

Good Advice
Never touch a drop of drink :
If you do, you’ll rue ;
That first glass may form a link
Which you can’t undo.
Sadie Gamble, Belfast.

Strong drink is the cause of most of the sin
Which spoils this land of ours ;
So never let it enter in :
Drink water like the flowers.
Gladys E. Watts, Ashford.

I’m glad I’ve signed the Temperance pledge :
I hope you’ll do so, too.
You never will regret it ;
‘Tis the best thing you can do.
Nellie Humphreys, Stanley.

Now Temperance soldiers, to your pledge,
Remain for ever true:
Stand up and fight like Daniel’s band ;
You’ve all got work to do.
David B. Elliott, Pettigo.

Fight the drink.
Why are folks so poor to-day?
That is what some people say.
You won’t be surprised, I think,
When I tell you, ‘tis the drink.
Mabel F. Langdon, Doddington.

Drink is England’s greatest foe ;
It brings ruin, curse and woe.
Mary L. Hodgson, Wigton.

D. stands for Drink,
Which makes people sink,
For it won’t let them think.
John F. Galt, Dundee.

In homes where drink is frequent,
Poverty is found ;
In homes where drink is shunned,
Gladness will abound.
Gladys M. Wamsley, Birmingham.

We will shun all drink and beer;
“Britain’s greatest curse” we’ll fear ;
We will strive for country dear.
We’ve a Captain wise and strong ;
He will lead us safe along,
Till we conquer every wrong.
Hettie Dickson, Dollar.

A Boy’s Pledge.
Water is the drink for me,
And smoke I never will.
I want our country to be free
From drink and every ill.
Robert Graves, Leeds.

Testimonies.
I’m a wee, wee girl, just six years old,
My mother’s and father’s pet.
A year ago I took the pledge,
And I’ve never broken it yet.
Mabel Donaldson, Eaglesfield.

The pledge I took when three years old:
At present I am fifteen.
I value my pledge as much as gold,
When I think what might have been.
Frank Oliver, Callington.
I’m only a boy just ten years old,
But I’ve joined the Temperance band,
And I mean to fight, with all my might,
To drive drink from our land.
Robert Donaldson, Eaglesfield.

Band of Hope members are we ;
Healthy and strong, as you see.
And all of us think ‘tis the “ale” that we drink
That keeps us from sickness so free.
We’re knights of pure water, you know ;
Happy and proud to be so.
Come join us, we pray ; and then you will say,
‘Tis best to be alcohol’s foe/
Grace Gibson, Dublin.

Invitations to Enlist.
A drunkard leads a dreadful life,
As everyone can see :
Then why not join the Band of Hope
And instead of wine drink tea?
Edna Smith, Paisley.

When you are drinking
You’ve no time for thinking ;
If you were an abstainer,
Your thoughts would be plainer.
Daisy Stringer, West Ewell.

If people would from drink abstain,
All sign the pledge and start again,
This world would be a happy place,
And joy would shine in every face.
John Harmer, Sidley.

Our Band of Hope starts
At half-past eight ;
I’ll take good care
That I’ll not be late.
There’s plenty to do :
Will you come, too?
John Willdridge, Belfast.