I’ve always admired William Blake, writes Alan Tristram.

And here’s poem which might get even me back to Church …

‘ The Little Vagabond’ (William Blake)

‘Dear Mother, dear mother, the church is cold,

But the Ale-house is healthy, and pleasant and warm,

Besides I can tell where I am used well,

Such usage in Heaven will never do well.

But if at the church they would give us some ale,

And a pleasant fire, our souls to regale,

We’d sing snd we’d pray the livelong day,

Nor ever once wish from the Church to stray.‘