VAGABOND

Give to me the life I love,

Let the lave go by me,

Give the jolly heaven above

And the byway nigh me.

Bed in the bush with stars to see,

Bread I dip in the river —

There’ s the life for a man like me,

There’ s the life for ever.

Let the blow fall soon or late,

Let what will be o’ er me;

Give the face of earth around

And the road before me.

Wealth I seek not, hope nor love,

Nor a friend to know me;

All I seek, the heaven above

And the road below me.

Or let autumn fall on me

Where afield I linger,

Silencing the bird on tree,

Biting the blue finger.

White as meal the frosty field —

Warm the fireside haven —

Not to autumn will I yield,

Not to winter even!

Let the blow fall soon or late,

Let what will be o’ er me;

Give the face of earth around,

And the road before me.

Wealth I ask not, hope nor love,

Nor a friend to know me;

All I ask, the heaven above

And the road below me.