There was a jolly miller once lived on the river Dee;
He danced and sang from morn till night, no lark so blithe as he;
And this the burden of his song forever used 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 his merry career, oh, how his heart grows gay;
No summer's drought alarms his fear, nor winter's cold 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 the jovial ring;
Let heart and voice and all agree to say, "Long live the king."
Notes
This was written sometime in the 1780s as part of
a satirical drama (Love in a Village) written by Bickerstaff.
It was later parodied by Charles MacKay http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/81455-Charles-Mackay-The-Miller-Of-Dee
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Comments
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Date correction
From guest Joseph Gatt (contact)
I really liked this page. Apparently, however, Bickerstaff wrote the drama, and this poem, in 1762, rather than in the 1780s as stated above. -
Amazing
this is a very light and amazing poem..some people know how to enjoy life...
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
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