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Poem
July 1, 1828
Lancaster Gazette
Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
A satirical song praising the simple, rewarding life of a farmer over the troubles of merchants, priests, lawyers, doctors, soldiers, and sailors, concluding with a moral on contentment and stewardship of the land.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
FROM THE NEW-BRUNSWICK TIMES.
A SONG FOR THE FARMER.
A Farmer's life's the life for me;
I own I love it dearly;
And ev'ry season, full of glee,
I take its labour cheerly—
To plough or sow,
To reap or mow,
Or in the barn to thresh, Sir,
All's one to me;
I plainly see
Twill bring me health and cash, Sir
To customers the Merchant shows
His best broadcloths and satin,
In hopes to sell a suit of clothes—
But lo! they beg a pattern;
Which, pinned on sleeve,
They take their leave—
"Perhaps they'll buy, since low 't is"—
And if they do,
The sale he'll rue,
When paid, Sir, with a "notice."
The Priest has plagues as undesired,
When flattered with a call, Sir;
For, though he preach like one inspired,
He cannot please 'em all, Sir.
Some, wanting grace,
Laugh in his face,
When solemnly he's prosing;
Some sneeze or cough,
Some shuffle off,
And some are even dozing.
The lawyer leads a harrassed life,
Much like a hunted otter;
And 'tween his own and others' strife,
He's always in hot water;
For foe or friend,
A cause defend,
However wrong, must he, Sir;
In reason's spite
Maintain'tis right—
And dearly earn his fee, Sir.
The Doctor's styled a gentleman
But this I hold but humming;
For, like a tavern waiting-man,
To every call he's "coming"
Now here, now there,
Must he repair,
Or starve, Sir, by denying
Like death himself..
Unhappy elf,..
He lives by others' dying.
The Soldier, deck'd in golden lace,
Looks wondrous fine, I own, Sir:
But still I envy not his place,.
When batter'd to the bone, Sir
..:: To knock my head
Against cold lead,
I never had a notion;
. If that's the way
: - To rank, I say,
Excuse me from promotion, :..'
The Sailor lives but in a jail,
With all the risk beside, Sir.
Of pillage, founder, and of gale—
This cannot be denied, Sir.
While I so snug
Enjoy my mug,
Or kiss my wife, and so forth—
When rain and storm
The night deform,
His duty bids him go forth.
A FARMER's life then let me live,
Obtaining, while I lead it,
Enough for self, and some to give
To such poor souls as need it.
I'll drain and fence,
Nor grudge expense
To give my land good dressing:
I'll plough and sow,
Or drill in row,
And hope from Heaven a blessing.
He who would wear a watch, must two things do—
Pocket his watch, and watch his pocket too.
A SONG FOR THE FARMER.
A Farmer's life's the life for me;
I own I love it dearly;
And ev'ry season, full of glee,
I take its labour cheerly—
To plough or sow,
To reap or mow,
Or in the barn to thresh, Sir,
All's one to me;
I plainly see
Twill bring me health and cash, Sir
To customers the Merchant shows
His best broadcloths and satin,
In hopes to sell a suit of clothes—
But lo! they beg a pattern;
Which, pinned on sleeve,
They take their leave—
"Perhaps they'll buy, since low 't is"—
And if they do,
The sale he'll rue,
When paid, Sir, with a "notice."
The Priest has plagues as undesired,
When flattered with a call, Sir;
For, though he preach like one inspired,
He cannot please 'em all, Sir.
Some, wanting grace,
Laugh in his face,
When solemnly he's prosing;
Some sneeze or cough,
Some shuffle off,
And some are even dozing.
The lawyer leads a harrassed life,
Much like a hunted otter;
And 'tween his own and others' strife,
He's always in hot water;
For foe or friend,
A cause defend,
However wrong, must he, Sir;
In reason's spite
Maintain'tis right—
And dearly earn his fee, Sir.
The Doctor's styled a gentleman
But this I hold but humming;
For, like a tavern waiting-man,
To every call he's "coming"
Now here, now there,
Must he repair,
Or starve, Sir, by denying
Like death himself..
Unhappy elf,..
He lives by others' dying.
The Soldier, deck'd in golden lace,
Looks wondrous fine, I own, Sir:
But still I envy not his place,.
When batter'd to the bone, Sir
..:: To knock my head
Against cold lead,
I never had a notion;
. If that's the way
: - To rank, I say,
Excuse me from promotion, :..'
The Sailor lives but in a jail,
With all the risk beside, Sir.
Of pillage, founder, and of gale—
This cannot be denied, Sir.
While I so snug
Enjoy my mug,
Or kiss my wife, and so forth—
When rain and storm
The night deform,
His duty bids him go forth.
A FARMER's life then let me live,
Obtaining, while I lead it,
Enough for self, and some to give
To such poor souls as need it.
I'll drain and fence,
Nor grudge expense
To give my land good dressing:
I'll plough and sow,
Or drill in row,
And hope from Heaven a blessing.
He who would wear a watch, must two things do—
Pocket his watch, and watch his pocket too.
What sub-type of article is it?
Song
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Farmer Life
Satire Professions
Rural Contentment
Moral Instruction
Simple Labor
Poem Details
Title
A Song For The Farmer.
Subject
Praising The Farmer's Life
Key Lines
A Farmer's Life's The Life For Me;
I Plainly See Twill Bring Me Health And Cash, Sir
A Farmer's Life Then Let Me Live, Obtaining, While I Lead It, Enough For Self, And Some To Give To Such Poor Souls As Need It.
He Who Would Wear A Watch, Must Two Things Do— Pocket His Watch, And Watch His Pocket Too.