I want to correct myself.
In tranlating the Yiddish, I think I was not using the correct source.
In verse 2, it is apparently "schreit dos kelbl", which means, the calf cries, and not "cry, you calf".
That makes a difference...
The farmer is responding to the calf's moaning by self-justification, philosophising, blaming the victim... Basically the same, but not as harsh as I made it to be.