The Miller and the Smith
To the tune of “Here’s a Health to the Company” (I think – or maybe “The Cuckoo’)
In honor of William Mueller and Jack Smith (and with all due respect to the former; comparisons are odious but they make good lyrics)

The miller is a clever man, and he grinds with great skill,
But the smith wields his hammer and he does what he will,
Now the miller grinds slowly as his stones they go ‘round
But the smith is a mighty man when he brings his hammer down.

Now the miller’s stones grinding with the turn of the wheel
With the millrace a-flowing make us plenty of meal,
While the smith in his smithy makes the sparks fall like rain
As his hammer strikes the anvil again and again.

Now the smith and the miller made a bet one fine hour
Matching blows of the hammer ‘gainst bushels of flour,
Says the miller, three dozen, and I’m calling your bluff,
Here you are, says the smith, is thirty-seven enough?

Here’s a health to the miller, he’s a very fine man,
Let him live long and prosper just as long as he can,
Here’s a health to the smith, may he live long and well,
May his hammer bang the Devil to the iron gates of Hell.