There was a jolly miller once

Lived on the river Dee ;

He worked hard and sang from morn till night,

No lark more blithe than he.

And this the burden of his song

Forever used to be

I care for nobody, no, not I,

If nobody cares for me.


The reason why he was so blithe,

He once did thus unfold

The bread I eat my hands have earned;

I covet no man?s gold ;

I do not fear next quarter-day;

In debt to none I be.

I care for nobody, no, not I,

If nobody cares for me.


A coin or two I?ve in my purse,

To help a needy friend ;

A little I can give the poor,

And still have some to spend.

Though I may fail, yet I rejoice,

Another?s good hap to see.

I care for nobody, no, not I,

If nobody cares for me.


So let us his example take,

And be from malice free;

Let every one his neighbor serve,

As served he?d like to be.

And merrily push the can about

And drink and sing with glee;

If nobody cares and do it for us,

Why not we do it and care for him.