School

If there is a vile, pernicious,

Wicked and degraded rule,

Tending to debase the vicious,

And corrupt the harmless fool;

If there is a hateful habit

Making man a senseless tool,

With the feelings of a rabbit

And the wisdom of a mule;

It's the rule which inculcates,

It's the habit which dictates

The wrong and sinful practice of going into school.

If there's anything improving

To an erring sinner's state,

Which is useful in removing

All the ills of human fate;

If there's any glorious custom

Which our faults can dissipate,

And can casually thrust 'em

Out of sight and make us great;

It's the plan by which we shirk

Half our matu-ti-nal work,

The glorious institution of always being late.