American Old Time Song Lyrics: 59 The Farmers Boy

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 59

THE FARMER'S BOY.

The sun had gone down behind you hill,
And o'er you dreary moor.
When weary and lame, a boy there came
Up to a farmer's door,
Saying: Can you tell me if any there be
Can give to me employ?

Chorus.
For to plough, for to mow, for to reap, for to sow.
For to be a farmer's boy.

My father is dead, my mother is left
With her five children small,
And what is worse for mother still,
I'm the eldest of them all;
Though small I am, I fear no work.
If you will give me employ. -Chorus.

If you cannot me employ, one favor yet I ask.
That Is, to shelter me this night
From the cold Winter's blast;
At the break of day
I will trudge away.
Elsewhere to seek employ. -Chorus.

The farmer says, we'll try the lad,
No further let him seek;
Oh! yes, dear father, the daughter cried.
While the tears rolled down her cheek.
For him that can labor it is hard to want,
Or elsewhere to seek employ.- chorus.

At length of years this boy grew up,
This good old farmer died:
He left the boy the farm he had,
And his daughter for his bride.
The boy that was is a farmer now,
And he oftimes thinks with joy-

Chorus.
On the happy, happy day he came that way
For to be a farmer's boy.