The Drunkard’s Daughter

While browsing old newspapers, I came across a poem called The Drunkard’s Daughter on the front page of the Shepherdstown Register (Shepherdstown, West Virginia) in the October 31, 1868 edition (150+ years ago). However, it was published without any author credit. My research revealed it was written by George W Bungay (1818-1892), and it was likely first published in 1867 as part of a collection titled “Temperance Chimes: comprising a great variety of new music, glees, songs, and hymns, designed for the use of temperance meeting and organizations, glee clubs, bands of hope, and the home circle“.

I enjoyed accidently coming across this poem, and I present it here for your reading pleasure.

The Drunkard’s Daughter

By George W Bungay (circa 1867)

Out in the street, with naked feet,
	I saw the drunkard's daughter;
Her tattered shawl was thin and small;
	She little knew, for no one taught her.

Her skin was fair, her auburn hair
	Was blown about her pretty forehead;
Her sad white face wore sorrow's trace,
	And want and woe that were not borrowed.

She softly said: "We have no bread.
	No wood to keep the fire burning."
The child was ill; the winds so chill
	Her thin, cold blood to ice was turning.

But men well fed and warmly clad,
	And ladies robed in richest fashion,
Passed on the side where no one cried
	To them for pity or compassion.

That long night fled, and then the light
	Of rosy day, in beauty shining,
Set dome and spire and roof on fire,
	And shone on one beyond repining.

Asleep—alone—as cold as stone,
	Where no dear parent sought her;
In winding-sheet of snow and sleet,
	Was found the drunkard's lifeless daughter.

——

Apparently, The Drunkard’ Daughter is more than just a poem. It is a song (hymn) with music by Henry Tucker. Here is how it appears in the “Temperance Chimes” collection:

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You can learn more about George W Bungay here.

Linked to dVerse ~ Poets Pub: Open Link Night, where Sanaa is hosting February’s live reading edition.