American Old Time Song Lyrics: 02 Things I Don't Like To See

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 2

Things I Dont Like to See
As sung by John Foster.

I've seen a little of this world, I'm an observing man,
And what I like or do not like, to tell you, is my plan.
The ups and downs of life by me is viewed in every way.
And many sights and curious scenes I see throughout the day.
I do not like to see a man who happens to be poor
Drove off by kicks and cruel blows from a wealthy brother's door,
Though he may not possess a dime, from dollars may be free,
To see him crushed by wealth and pride-I do not like to see.

I do not like to see a girl that by labor bread does earn,
Because she cannot dress in silk-be looked upon with scorn;
Her wealthy sisters pass her by with jewels bright bedecked.
And laugh because misfortune sad the girl's pure life has wrecked.
I do not like to see a man, by fraud has millions made,
Look down upon his fellowman and try him to degrade;
Nor yet to see a bank cashier sail swiftly o'er the sea.
Cursed by the tears of those he robbed-the sight give* pain to me.

I do not like to see a man from punishment escape
Because he can give thousands for to save him from the scrape;
And yet the man who steals a crust to save his wife and child
Must in a loathsome dungeon-cell with fetters be defiled.
I do not like to see a boy forsaken in his play
Because his clothes are patches-will not bear the light of day
That boy, though poor, in future days a Washington may be!
And to be scorned when poorly dressed, I do not like to see.

I do not like to see the power of capital increase,
By labor was our country built-and may its power increase-
It was the shovel and the pick, the hard and sinewy hand -
Which wrought the fame of Uncle Sam-Columbia's happy land I
It was not the luxury of wealth that raised our noble flag,
It was the sons of labor that did low each tyrant drag,
Twas the oppressed from every clime that made our country free,
Those sons of honest labor that I so much like to see.