Digital Tradition Mirror

The Jolly Grinder

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Jolly Grinder

There was a jolly grinder
Once lived by the River Don,
He worked and sang from morn til nlght,
And sometimes he worked none.

cho: And still the burden of his song for ever used to be:
     'Tis never worthwhile to work too long
     If it doesn't agree with me!

He seldom on a Monday worked
Except near Christmas Day.
It wasn't the labour that he shunned,
For 'twas easier far than play.

cho:

A pale teetotaller chanced to meet
Our grinder one fine day
As he sat at the door with his plpe and glass
And thus to our friend did say:
"You destroy your health and senses too."
Says the grinder, "You're much too free.
Attend to your work, if you've ought to do,
And don't interfere with me."

cho:

"There's many like you go sneaking around
Persuading beer drinkers to turn
'Tis easier far on our failings to spout
Than by labour your living to earn,
I work when I like and play when I can
And I envy no man I see,
Such chaps as you won't alter my plan
For I know what agrees with me.

Recorded by Killen, Gallant Lads Are We
Note: Killen places the song as post-1830, in light of the word
  "Teetotaler"  It's a rewrite of the "Miller of Dee" RG
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!