Canned Ale and Beer
E. BURDETTE KEMM
Among the liquors now on sale
To steal man’s brain and brawn,
Are some in bottle, jug and pail,
And some from barrel drawn.
But latest of the many ways
To tempt the thirsty man,
And make him drunken all his days.
Is beer in shining can.
And if to beer he’s not inclined,
In color dark or pale,
Another liquor then he’ll find
In cans, and this is ale.
But I would warn all those who drink
These liquors in a can,
Before they do, to stop and think;
This booze can “can” the man.
The woman, also, it will “can.”
Her self-respect she’ll lose;
And be no better than the man,
Who spends his cash for booze.
Yes, any booze of any name,
In bottle, glass or mug,
Will wreck your being just the same
And send you to the “jug.”
Be not deceived, ’tis not the thing
That holds the cursed stuff,
Which those who drink to ruin bring,
Who never get enough.
But every alcoholic drink,
No matter what its name,
Will sends its users to the brink
Of deep remorse and shame.
Then shun the bottle, jug or glass,
The demijohn and can;
Let through your lips no liquor pass,
If you would be a man.
The Voice of Temperance Scrapbook – 9 Winters of Prayers & Poems from Prohibition is a weekly journey through one of history’s most unique relics of faith and reform. This scrapbook, preserved across nine winters, blends heartfelt poetry with fervent prayers from the Prohibition era—a time when voices of temperance sought to guide communities toward sobriety, strength, and moral conviction. Each entry offers not only a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural mindset of the early 20th century, but also a window into how ordinary people used words to grapple with change, hope, and resilience.
Every week, we will highlight one poem and one prayer from the collection, pairing them with a touch of historical context and reflection. Whether you come for the rhythm of the verse, the quiet power of the prayers, or the curiosity of uncovering forgotten pages of the past, this series will celebrate the endurance of the written word and the human spirit through nine long winters of conviction and devotion.
In 1936 for nine winters “The Voice of Temperance” was broadcast over radio stations. Thousands of poems, newspaper clippings, excerpts of temperance addresses, and personal experiences we mailed to the author Sam Morris. Radio listeners copied or clipped most of them from books, magazines, or newspapers without giving their source or author. We had no thought of putting them into a book and so merely pasted them into a handy reference book. But so many requests had come for copies that we have collected those most often requested into this Scrap Book for wider distribution.
Naturally under the circumstances indicated above, it has been impossible to check up and secure the individual permission to publish each one; we have no desire to infringe upon copyright privileges or personal ownerships. We have indicated authorship where it was known and should there be any infringement upon copyright or personal ownership we shall be only too glad to correct the infringement in future editions.
With this brief explanation we send forth this unique Scrap Book with the prayer that its contents may contribute to the moral and spiritual betterment of human society.
Sincerely,
SAM MORRIS
“The Voice of Temperance”
