Drunkard's Dream

Oh Dermot you look so pleasant now
Your clothes look neat and clean
I haven't seen you drink a drop
Pray tell me where you've been

Your wife and children are they well
You used to treat them strange
But are you kinder to them now
How came this happy change

I had a dream, a warning dream
That heaven sent to me
It warned me of a drunkard's curse
Of woe and misery

I dreamt one night I staggered home
It being a sudden gloom
I missed my wife where can she be
There's strangers in the room

I heard them say, "Poor thing she's dead
She's lived a wretched life
'Twas grief and want that broke her heart
For she was a drunkard's wife."

I woke and saw my Mary dear
And joyful tears did stream
And ever since, l've heaven blessed
For sending me that dream

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Lyrics from the Mountain Music for Everyone Collection, a database of nearly 400 traditional songs common in bluegrass and old-time circles. The collection is provided by the Abbott family, which also offers books and CDs aimed at providing a path to playing by ear, songbooks, and play-along CDs for learning these traditional songs. Visit www.PlayingByEar.com for more.