What makes us loudly curse and swear
What makes us rave and pull our hair
What torment is the worst to bear
The toothache!
What makes the children roar and weep
What makes the gossips silent keep
What robs us of our precious sleep
The toothache!
What makes the coolest temper hot
What makes the hollow cheek grow fat
What makes us want to kick the cat
The toothache!
What makes us wild and wakeful lie
While midnight hours go slowly by
And almost wish that we could die
The toothache!
What gives some people such a thirst
What punishment would be worst
Down in the land of the accursed
The toothache!
Hugh Alexander 1910