Wine, Water, and Song

GOD made the wicked GrocerFor a mystery and a sign,That men might shun the awful shopsAnd go to inns to dine;Where the bacon's on the rafterAnd the wine is in the wood,And God that made good laughterHas seen that they are good.The evil-hearted GrocerWould call his mother "Ma'am,"And bow at her and bob at her,Her aged soul to damn,And rub his horrid hands and askWhat article was next,Though mortis in articuloShould be her proper text.His props are not his children,But pert lads underpaid,Who call out "Cash!" and bang aboutTo work his wicked trade;He keeps a lady in a cageMost cruelly all day,