And little Sir John and the nut brown bowl and his brandy in the glass
And little Sir John and the nut brown bowl proved the strongest man at last
The huntsman he can't hunt the fox nor so loudly to blow his horn
And the tinker he can't mend kettle or pots without a little barleycorn
—"John Barleycorn" (traditional)
Now, alcohol makes a big man small and can lead to life of crime
Drinking rum makes you skin-and-bone, and you cash in before your time
Bootleg gin for your Mickey Finn till you don't even know your name
You're a basket case right on your face, there's only one guy to blame
(Oh Mister Booze, Mister Booze, Mister B, double O, Z, E, don't ever queue)
(Don't you wind up swearing platitudes if you're mad with Mister Booze)
—Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., "Mr. Booze" from Robin and the 7 Hoods
I can make a mere schoolboy forget his books
I can make a world-famous beauty neglect her looks
I can make a good man forsake his wife
Send a greedy man to prison for the rest of his life
I can make a man forsake his country and flag
Make a girl sell her body for a five-dollar bag
Some think my adventure's a joy and a thrill
But I'll put a gun in your hand and make you kill
—James Brown, "King Heroin"
