What is that beggar doing
at my gate again, today?
I saw the dogs licking his sore.
Servant, go and tell him to get away.
Why is he always at my door?
He has his business, and I have mine.
Servant, before you go, I'll have more
meat, and another glass of wine.


We all know, life is not so sweet.
Pass the honey too.

That beggar is always around,
in cold, rain, sleet, and snow.
Why he doesn't find another crowd,
I haven't got a clue.
He was sick the other day.
I saw him turning blue.

That dog licked his face.

Rover, so loyal and true.
Why that dog has anything to do
with him, I know, I don't know.
Tell him, he is stinking up the place,
And, on the way, run me a bath,
I have to refresh this gorgeous face.
I know he doesn't want to see,
my cold, harsh wrath.
Put out the perfumed soap,
And, finest salts for bath

I don't care if he is so sick,
Tell him to find another path.
After you have told him,
I'll be in the drawing room.
For years, I've seen him crying,
in agony and gloom.

I'll be sitting there in leisure,
As I count my worldly treasure;
Wanting only my pure pleasure.
Wasn't Mother blessed,
When she found me in her womb?
Well, Servant, did you tell him,
Like I said?
I think I'll light that fine cigar.

Oh, how that beggar looked so
doomed with dread.
I can't seem to open this fine candy jar.

I hope he gets as far, as far.
Master, glad to see you up to par.
I found the beggar dead.

Dead, you say? What a shame.
I've never seen anyone so lame.
I can't remember
that beggar's name,
But, I'm glad he passed away.

Let's have a party to celebrate,
And send a gift or two.

My reputation is at stake,
So bake the biggest, freshest cake,
And, let me count my gold again, today.
I think I made a big mistake.

Tell my debtors they had better pay.
All balances now due.

Make sure this party is a big success.
I'll wear my finest silk woven dress.
I know I am the greatest man,
this world could possess.
Now, Servant, you know what to do.

Master died today.
He choked on the cake,
I did bake.

The man had finished smoking,
And he started choking.
No, I am not joking.
Not a sound, did Master make.

Lazarus was that beggar's name.
He remembered, as he laid in the harsh flame;
Knowing that he only had himself to blame.
Looking up, he saw Lazarus in Abraham's bosom.

Tell Lazarus to put water on his finger,
for my scorched tongue.
Don't you remember your treatment of Lazarus,
When you were young?
And, suddenly, he remembered all his life,
the selfish, cold song that he had sung.
We can't get to you anyway,
because of this great chasm

Go back and tell my brothers,
not to do what I have done.
When they see someone from the dead,
they won't come to this horrid place.
The truth, they must embrace.
For I cannot bear to face,
the unbearable flames awaiting them,
for the foolish life they led.

Abraham said, "The truth, they still will shun.
If they do not believe Moses, God's Truth,
And, the Prophets' Voices,
They still will make their wicked choices.
They will not believe a dead man's noises.
All will still rant, rave, and taunt.
Hell's flames will still await their keeping;
Forever to be weeping,
For the wicked life, they are reaping.
The Truth, they do not want.

Ida Rosetta Raye Johnson