Fresh Air, Running Water, Rose Pills

I've seen cities in a hopeless light

Filthy, foul and silent

Children feverish and frightened

The disease at its desperate height

The plague was raging virulently

Spreading fast and violently

So when my help was called upon

I did what could be done

Fresh air, running water, rose pills

Are clearly displaying my skills

Keeping death at distance

Even if you doubt or disagree

You must admit that

My remedies did that

Poor man's medication is just hope and pray

And I aim to cure but won't refuse a decent pay

I've seen bodies polluting the streets

Being dumped into the river

Men so badly disfigured

Women wrapped in white winding sheets

The plague was raging virulently

Spreading fast and violently

An almost unwinnable war

How I wish that I could have done more

But fresh air, running water, rose pills

Are clearly not paying the bills

The road to independance

Isn't paved with generosity

I'll be serving the wealthy

The rich but unhealthy

By gold and pearls in ointments, cures for each disease

Beauty in a bottle, but no garantees