My Favorite Hymn Poem by Ima Ryma

On Sunday in church I did sit,
Hungover from the night before.
The minister's sermon, to wit,
On temperance said all should pour
Into the river all the beer,
And all the whiskey and wine too.
I felt that I was meant to hear
The point of this sermon as clue
That my drinking of liquor be
A sin when done to the excess.
The minister looked right at me.
I must have looked the part, I guess.

Last hymn the choir did deliver,
'Shall We Gather at the River.'