SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1931. Volume 2. Number 3.

"Innocence Astray," or "The Babes in the Wood"

"Innocence Astray," or "The Babes in the Wood"

[Mr. Priestly, at the Annual General Meeting or the Dramatic Club, when apologising for the deficiencies in the club's constitution and balance-sheet, explained that the members of the club were too much influenced by the artistic temperament to draw up a legally satisfying constitution.]

Though the Constitution's rocky,
And the balance-sheet's at sea,
And sub-sections twelve to thirty
May be found in footnote B.
Yet the President discovers
A full reason for their faults.
And with "artistic temperament"
Resists th' Exec's assaults.

(Chorus)
Oh! the artists! Oh! the artists!
God bless their simple minds,
And withstand the wicked Rollings
Who "omitted assets" finds.

Now the swimmers and debaters
And each club at V.U.C.
Have to ponder rules and clauses
And consider L.S.D.
But the Hoggs—yes, and the Priestleys—
In a fine dramatic passion
Make a balance-sheet like artists—
In a temperamental fashion!

(Chorus)
Oh! the artists! Oh! the artists!
God bless their simple hearts
And preserve their balance-sheets
From all Charlie's poisoned darts.

If a passion Edna renders,
Or our Ralph a tragic part,
Or if Ola in pyjamas
Is delighting every heart,
Shall the voice of cold hard reason
Come to chill their artistry?
Or MacDuff with accents legal
Their accounts demand to see?

(Chorus)
Oh! the artists! Oh! the artists!
God bless their simple souls
And protect them from the lawyers,
From Pen Rollings and from Powles.

P.B.S.E.