The Miller of Dee

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 song

For ever 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 the 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.