My Father was a Farmer

My Father was a Farmer upon the Carrick border, OAnd carefully he bred me in decency and order, OHe bade me act a manly part, though I had ne'er a farthing, OFor without an honest manly heart, no man was worth regarding, O.

Then out into the world my course I did determine, OTho' to be rich was not my wish, yet to be great was charming, OMy talents they were not the worst; nor yet my education, OResolv'd was I, at least to try, to mend my situation, O.

In many a way, and vain essay, I courted fortune's favour; OSome cause unseen still stept between, to frustrate each endeavour; OSometimes by foes I was o'erpower'd; sometimes by friends forsaken; OAnd when my hope was at the top, I still was worst mistaken, O.

Then sore harass'd, and tir'd at last, with fortune's vain delusion; OI dropt my schemes, like idle dreams, and came to this conclusion; OThe past was bad, and the future hid; its good or ill untried; OBut the present hour was in my pow'r, and so I would enjoy it, O.

No help, nor hope, nor view had I; nor person to befriend me; OSo I must toil, and sweat and broil, and labour to sustain me, OTo plough and sow, to reap and mow, my father bred me early; OFor one, he said, to labour bred, was a match for fortune fairly, O.

Thus all obscure, unknown, and poor, thro' life I'm doom'd to wander, OTill down my weary bones I lay in everlasting slumber; ONo view nor care, but shun whate'er might breed me pain or sorrow: OI live to-day as well's I may, regardless of to-morrow, O.

But cheerful still, I am as well as a monarch in a palace, OTho' fortune's frown still hunts me down, with all her wonted malice; OI make indeed my daily bread, but ne'er can make it farther; OBut as daily bread is all I need, I do not much regard her, O.

When sometimes by my labour I earn a little money, OSome unforeseen misfortune comes generally upon me; OMischance, mistake, or by neglect, or my good-natur'd folly; OBut come what will, I've sworn it still, I'll ne'er be melancholy, O.

All you who follow wealth and power, with unremitting ardour, OThe more in this you look for bliss, you leave your view the farther; OHad you the wealth Potosi boasts, or nations to adore you, OA cheerful honest-hearted clown I will prefer before you, O.