For They were Jolly Good Fellows!

Although six o'clock closing is believed in State political circles to have come to a stage where there is a disposition in connection with the new Licensing Bill to permit the use of liquor for toasts at social gatherings after 6pm

We'd toasted King and Parlia-
    ments,
Both Federal and State.
We'd toasted Art and Science too
    When, lo, the clock struck one,
The night was young, the food was
    good.
"The wine was even better.
    'Alas, the law,' the chairman said,
    'We must observe its letter.'"

Then Smith rose on unsteady feet,
    And raised the glass on high.
"I toast the Queen o' Sheba's hopes,"
    He said. "I dunno why;
But, somehow, I admire that girl;
    She was a bonhom' piece.
So drink to Mrs Sheba, boys,
    And laugh at the police."

We drank the toast. Then Johnson
    rose
And said, "I have a toast.
I never knew the lady, boys.
    I would not make that boast—
But to ignore her here tonight
    Would simply be a sin.
So, fill your glasses up, my friends,
    And drink to Anne Boleyn."

We drank. Still there was wine to
    spare;
So Smothers got end up
And cried, "I'm law-abiding, friends,
    But fill the brimmin' cup.
I've got a special little toast;
    I've always longed to put
Before a crowd of decent blokes:
    Here's to old Pussyfoot!"

At nine o'clock we drank to War;
    At five past nine to Peace;
At nine-fifteen we drank to Drink,
    And then to the Police.
At half-past nine we drank to Joy,
    And, later on, to Sorrow;
We drank Today and Yesterday,
    Last Week, and then Tomorrow.

We toasted each good man who was
    About the merry board;
And, when the last good health was
    drunk,
The toasts were all ignored,
And the wine flowed fast and free.
    What time the clock struck ten,
eleven, twelve, we felt that we
    Were law-abiding men.