Let the wealthy and great live in splendor and state.
I envy them not, I declare it,
For I grow my own rams, my own ewes, my own lambs,
And I shear my own fleece and I wear it.
By plowing and sowing and reaping and mowing
All nature provides me with plenty-
With a cellar well stored and a plentiful board,
And my garden affords every dainty.
For here I am king. I can dance, drink and sing.
Let no one approach as a stranger.
I will hunt when it's quiet. Come on, let us try it!
Dull thinking drives anyone crazy.
I have lawns and bowers. I have fruits and flowers,
And the lark is my morning alarmer.
So you jolly boys now, here's godspeed the plow.
Long life and success to the farmer.
The First and last verse's are on a mug that my mum gave to me. My oldest son read it out in front of a packed church at my mums funeral. Full marks to him cause I couldn't have done it! Brought a few tears to my eyes, still does when I see the mug on the sideboard.
Ya big sook!