There's little to have but the things I had
There's little to bear but the things I bore
There's nothing to carry and naught to add
And glory to Heaven, I paid the score
There's little to do but I did before
There's little to learn but the things I know
And this is the sum of a lasting lore
Scratch a lover, and find a foe
And couldn't it be I was young and mad
If ever my heart on my sleeve I wore?
There's many to claw at a heart unclad
And little the wonder it ripped and tore
There's one that'll join in their push and roar
With stories to jabber, and stones to throw
He'll fetch you a lesson that costs you sore
Scratch a lover, and find a foe
So little I'll offer to you, my lad
It's little in loving I set my store
There's many a maid would be flushed and glad
And better you'll knock at a kindlier door
I'll dig at my lettuce, and sweep my floor
Forever, forever I'm done with woe
And happen I'll whistle about my chore
"Scratch a lover, and find a foe."
Oh, beggar or prince, no more, no more!
Be off and away with your strut and show
The sweeter the apple, the blacker the core:
Scratch a lover, and find a foe!
