ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Drowning in Whiskey and Wine

Judge me not poorly you men of the cross
I still bare the scars of your chains
Don’t you believe I have suffered enough
Its not a crime
I’m drowning in whiskey and wine

I remember the sermons, the lectures, the rules
The burden of guilt and the shame
For too many years I have suffered the fools
So don’t waste my time
I’m drownin’ in whiskey and wine

Give me salvation and spare me the rod
There’s nothing for you to be gained
Show me some sign of a merciful God
Just throw me a line
I’m drowning in whiskey and wine

I drink to your health, all you God fearing men
I drink to forgive and forget
I drink to your wives and your family and kin
I’m doing fine
I’m drowning in whiskey and wine

You part with coins as they pass ‘round the plate
For passage on the glory train
Don’t save me a seat because I might just be late
I lose track of time
When I’m drowning in whiskey and wine

Go fill up your churches with clean cotton shirts
With ladies in linen and lace
And remember the one that you left in the dirt
All covered in grime
And drowning in whiskey and wine

Go home to your mansions, your castles, your keep
Go home to your palace divine
Its here in this park that you’ll find me asleep
Most any time
Drowning in whiskey and wine

(Note: Not written from personal experience)
Copyright © Allan Cropper March 2012

There's a real sense of defiance in that poem Allan.

Heather

you have it the wrong way round mate, they do not act the way you have depicted because of their professed faith, if they are chaining people, burdening others with guilt and legalism, and coveting money and property then they are not men of the cross or God fearing, they are living a lie, contrary to their professed faith.

Heather - I am glad you got it. I think the title might prevent some from reading, but it is not about drinking, but about not succumbing to past injustices.

Neville - you are right, but there are many who claim to be 'good Christians' and yet persecute others. It seems to have struck a chord which is what it was intended to do.

Thank you for reading and posting

Allan

Not all people who profess to be Christians go to church.



A lot are there just for the show.


Bob

A large % of the crimes against humanity have been/are being committed by 'christians' driven by their religion and warped perceptions - I'd rather be drowning in whisky and wine than following them. I like your poem Allan

How did you calculate the percentage Maureen, what information did you use, or did you just make that up

How did you count up the numbers to establish that a lot that are there for show Bob, or did you just make that up

The point I made is that Allan's poem reminds me how easy it is to opine a general judgement about a class of people, anyone can do that. But the judgement here is serious and it is only fair that such judgement should be established by firm evidence not just prejudice or guesswork.

Personnel experience Nev.


Bob

Clearly the poem is written from the perspective of someone struggling to overcome past traumas at the hands of people HE perceives as representing Christians and /or Christianity.

It is not a criticism of Christians nor Christianity per se.

Quite right Allan, this is a sad personal experience from the perspective of this particular person, which is exactly how I read it and it reminds me of the story of the Good Samaritan. There will always be people who help, give and care travelling alongside those who twist the basic message and much worse, no matter what they profess to believe in. It's a good, thought provoking poem.