THE "SALVATION" HUMBUG.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 91, 10 June 1882, Page 202

THE "SALVATION" HUMBUG.

The free air of New Zealand has not yet been tainted to any extent by the " war cry " of the Army of Salvation ; but as the army lias landed on our shores, and will soon reach Auckland, we have a capital antidote, with which we may be said to be " doubly armed." We shall simply call upon the Larrikins to repel the attacking force, and if, in the frightful carnage that would certainly ensue, the combatants succeeded in exterminating each other, the verdict would be " Served them right." A correspondent in Glasgow has favoured us with the annexed effusion, which is a literal paraphrase of the addresses delivered there by a certain Joseph Hally, Captain of the Salvation Army, Glasgow Barracks. It will give our larrikins some idea of the fun in store for them, and will fill them with " that stern joy which warriors feel in foemen worthy of their steel": — OLD SALTATION JOE. Tune—" Old Bob Eidley." Oh, onco I was the worst of sinners, "Went to balls and private dinners, Spent nry days in drink and revel, And gave my service to the devil ! Biit now I'm changed, and lo ! I'm old Salvation Joe ; I'm old Salvation Joe, I, 0 ! I'm old Salvation Joe ! Then I indulged in' every passion — I used to give my wife a thrashin' ; I drank from Saturday till Monday, And lay in bed, dead drunk, on Sunday I But times are changed, andlo ! My wife ne'er gets a^blow From old Salvation Joe ! oh, no— She ne'er receives a blow ! Oh, onco I had no boots nor trousers ; Times were very hard, I vow, sirs ; Like the Apostle oft in prison ; But better clays have now arisen ! I thank my stars, for lo ! I'm free from sin and woe ; I'm now reclaimed and justly named As old Salvation Joe ! Then for my soul so little caringDrinking, lying, cheating, swearing — Every v.ice I took delight in, And led a life of brawl and ilghtin' ! But by sin's overthrow, No misery I know ; I've quit my pranks, and joined the ranks, I'm oJd Salvation Joe ! • My friends disowned their poor relation, I sank so deep in degradation, Till thinking to improve my station I joined the Army of Salvation ; And now I'm saved, and lo ! I'm old Salvation Joe ! My friends come out to hear the shout ' Of old Salvation Joe ! From " Glory Hallelujah" shouting I got promoted to the spouting ; And then so many lies I slapped in, They very quickly made me Captain ! They saw I wasn't slow, I'd plenty life and " go," I'm fat and sleek on a, pound a week— I'm old Salvation Joe !