A merry burgomaster br In a burgh upon the Rhine br Said, 'Our burghers all are br Far too fond of drinking wine.' br So the merry burgomaster, br When the burgomasters met, br Bade them look into the matter br Ere the thing went farther yet. br br And the merry burgomasters br Did decide the only way br To alleviate the evil br Without worry or delay br Would be just to call a meeting br Of the burghers, great and small, br And then open every wine cask br And proceed to drink it all. br br 'For,' they said, 'when we have swallowed br Every drop that’s in the land, br There can be no more of drinking, br It is plain to understand.' br So they called a monster meeting, br And the burghers, small and great, br Drank and drank until they were too br Tipsy to perambulate. br br But there still was wine in plenty, br So, in sooth, the only way br Was to call another meeting; br So they called it for next day. br Thus from day to day the burghers br Met and swallowed seas of wine, br And they vowed the reformation br Was a mission quite divine. br br And today the worthy burghers br In that burgh upon the Rhine br Still continue their great mission, br And still swallow seas of wine. br And they vow they will not falter br In their great reforming task br Till the last drop has been emptied br From the very last wine cask.