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User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
Jim Dixon Lyr Req: The sun being set {Ground for the floor} (9) Lyr Add: THE CONTENTED RURICOLIST (1806) 13 Nov 17


I found the following lyrics in a pamphlet held by The Toronto Public Library, titled "Bonny Annie's Elopement, with the Pursuit and Disappointment, to which are added [5 other songs]" (Glasgow: J. & M. Robertson, 1806), page 6:


THE CONTENTED RURICOLIST

The sun being set, and my work being done,
    one more of my days being spent,
Then home to my cottage I tript it along,
    and set myself down with content.

My cottage with woodbines are decked all round,
    and the jessamines green at my door,
Where in it no trouble was there to be found,
    I have nothing but ground for my floor.

My bed made of flocks and my sheets are home spun,
    no trouble ever enters my breast;
For at night being weary, I lay myself down,
    so contented I take me to rest.

With the lark in the morning I rise to my work,
    there's nothing perplexes my mind;
If my lambs go astray, see how careful I look,
    so sure as you seek you shall find.

No thoughts about honour ever enter'd my breast,
    or riches I ne'er can desire,
For the chief of my study is earning my bread,
    to high title I ne'er can aspire.

With pipe made of straw for amusement I play,
    see my lambs they skip over the plain,
Being blest with content see my time slides away.
    and at night to my cottage again.

[I don't consider these words authoritative, however. They have too many grammatical quirks, e.g. "My cottage ... are decked all round." This is the kind of thing you see in folk-processed songs, but seldom in the originals.]


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