Uplifting Songs ‎#122

122. The Wise Old Man of Japan

1 Once a wise old man
Native of Japan,
Gave the world an adage clever;
It is full of truth,
And each maid and youth,
Will do well to heed it ever.

Refrain:
“First the man takes a drink,
Then the drink takes a drink,
Then the drink,
Yes, the drink,
O the drink takes the man.”

2 If we look around,
We can see men bound
By the monster “drink,” and sinning,
But we surely know,
Back of ev’ry woe
Was the taste at the beginning. [Refrain]

3 Let us pledge this day,
As we kneel to pray,
That we’ll touch and taste it never,
That we’ll grow real strong
And, no doubt, live long,
Giving God our best endeavor. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: Once a wise old man
• Title: The Wise Old Man of Japan
• Author: C. H. L.
• Refrain First Line: First the man takes a drink
• Publication Date: 1917
• Topic: Children's
• Notes: Now Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: [Once a wise old man]
• Composer: C. Harold Lowden
• Notes: Now Public Domain.