This song was published in 1855 as temperance songs were in great demand. It would have been well if Stephen Foster had heeded the advice he gave in this song as he later became an alcoholic. Background music is in the key of A
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7-8 8 7 8 -8 7 -6 7 O-h! com-rades, fill no glass for me -6 6 -6 6 8 -8 7 -8 To drown my soul in liq-uid flame, 7-8 8 7 8 -8 7 -6 7 For if I drank the toast should be -6 6 -6 6 8 8 -8 7 To blight-ed for-tune, health and fame. 7 -7 -6 -6 -7 -6 6 7 Yet, though I long to quell the strife 8 8 -8 -8 7 -7 6 -9 That pas-sion holds a-gainst my life, 7 -8 8 7 8 -8 7 -6 7 St-ill boon com-pan-ions may ye be, -6 6 -6 6 8 8 -8 7 But com-rades, fill no glass for me, 8 9 8 9 8 7 -6 7 Still boon com-pan-ions may ye be, -6 6 6 5 6 7-8 8 -8 7 But com-rades, fi-ll n-o glass for me.
verse 2
I know a breast that once was light
Whose patient sufferings need my care,
I know a hearth that once was bright,
But drooping hopes have nestled there.
Then while the tear drops nightly steal
From wounded hearts that I should heal,
Though boon companions ye may be,
Oh! comrads, fill no glass for me.
Though boon companions may ye be,
Oh! comrades, fill no glass for me
verse 3
When I was young i felt the tide
Of aspirations undefiled,
But manhood's years have wronged the pride
My parents centered in their child.
Then, by a mother's sacred tear,
By all that memory should revere,
Though boon companions ye may be
Oh! comrades, fill no glass for me.
Though boon companions may ye be,
Oh! comrades, fill no glass for me
