Benjamin Franklin: The Antediluvians Were All Very Sober

An old song from the vaults of the esteemed Benjamin Franklin.

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The Antediluvians Were All Very Sober

The Antediluvians were all very sober
For they had no Wine, and they brewed no October;
All wicked, bad Livers, on Mischief still thinkinga
For there can't be good Living where there is not good drinking,

Derry Down

'Twas honest old Noah first planted the Vine,
And mended his Morals by drinking its Wine;
He justly the drinking of Water decried;
For he knew that all Mankind, by drinking it, died.

Derry Down

From this Piece of History's plainly we find
That Water's good neither for Body or Mind;
That Virtue and Safety in Wine-bibbing's found
While all that drink Water deserved to be drowned.

Derry down

So For Safety and Honesty put the Glass round.

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Antediluvians:

Existing before the flood (the Noachian deluge) recorded in Genesis; relating to the times or events before the Noachian deluge: as, the antediluvian patriarchs: by extension, applied to the time preceding any great flood or inundation, as that which is said to have occurred in China in the time of Yao, 2298 b. c.
    Belonging to very ancient times; antiquated; primitive; rude; simple: as, antediluvian ideas.
    noun One who lived before the deluge.
    noun Hence, humorously
    noun One who is very old or very antiquated in manners or notions; an old fogy.

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