The Miller of Dee

There was a jolly miller once
Liv'd on the river Dee ;
He danc'd and he sang from morn till night,
No lark so blithe as he.
And this the burden of his song
For ever us'd to be
I care for nobody, no, not I,
If nobody cares for me.

I live by my mill, God bless her!
She's kindred, child, and wife;
I would not change my station
For any other in life.
No lawyer, surgeon, or doctor,
E'er had a groat from me
I care for nobody, no, not I,
If nobody cares for me.

When Spring begins its merry career,
Oh! how his heart grows gay ;
No summer drought alarms his fears,
Nor winter's sad decay;
No foresight mars the miller's joy,
Who's wont to sing and say-
Let others toil from year to year,
I live from day to day.

Thus like the miller, bold and free,
Let us rejoice and sing;
The days of youth are made for glee,
And time is on the wing.
This song shall pass from me to thee,
Along this jovial ring
Let heart and voice and all agree to say,
"Long live the King."

There was a jolly miller once
Lived on the river Dee ;
He work'd and sang from morn till night,
No lark more blithe than he.
And this the burden of his aong
Forever used to be
I care for nobody, no, not I,
If nobody cares for me.

The reason why he was so blithe,
He once did thus unfold
The bread I eat my hands have earn'd;
I covet no man's gold ;
I do not fear next quarter-day;
In debt to none I be.
I care for nobody, no, not I,
If nobody cares for me.

A coin or two I've in my purse,
To help a needy friend ;
A little I can give the poor,
And still have some to spend.
Though I may fail, yet I rejoice,
Another's good hap to see.
I care for nobody, no, not I,
If nobody cares for me.

So let us his example take,
And be from malice free;
Let every one his neighbour serve,
As served he'd like to be.
And merrily push the can about
And drink and sing with glee;
If nobody cares a doit for us,
Why not a doit care we.