No Churchman Am I Lyrics - Burns Robert

No Churchman am I 

(Robert Burns) 

I 

No Churchman am I for to rail and to write, 

No Statesman nor Soldier to plot or to fight, 

No sly Man of business contriving a snare, 

For a big-belly'd bottle's the whole of my care. 

II 

The Peer I don't envy, I give him his bow; 

I scorn not the Peasant, tho' ever so low; 

But a club of good fellows, like those that are here, 

And a bottle like this, are my glory and care. 

III 

Here passes the Squire on his brother-his horse; 

There Centum per Centum, the Cit with his purse; 

But see you the Crown how it waves in the air, 

There a big-belly'd bottle still eases my care. 

IV 

The wife of my bosom, alas! she did die; 

For sweet consolation to church I did fly; 

I found that old Solomon proved it fair, 

That a big-belly'd bottle's a cure for all care. 

V 

I once was persuaded a venture to make; 

A letter inform'd me that all was to wreck; 

But the pursy old landlord just waddl'd up stairs 

With a glorious bottle that ended my cares. 

VI 

Life's cares they are comforts, a maxim laid down 

By the Bard, what d'ye call him, that wore the black gown; 

And faith I agree with the old prig to a hair; 

For a big-belly'd bottle's a heaven o care. 

A Stanza added in a Masonic Lodge: 

Then fill up a bumper and make it o'erflow, 

And honours masonic prepare for to throw; 

May every true brother of th' compass and square 

Have a big belly'd bottle when harassd with care. 

In III, the crown refers to a tavern sign in Mauchline, sporting the motto 

of Sir J Whiteford's arms, "D'en Haut". 

In VI, opening quote from Young's Night Thoughts. 

Tune: Prepare, my dear brethern, to the tavern let's fly (27) 

filename[ BIGBOTLE 

ARB 

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