The Jolly Grinder Lyrics

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

[Chorus]
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. [Chorus]

A pale teetotaller chanced to meet
Our grinder one fine day
As he sat at the door with his pipe 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." [Chorus]

"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. [Chorus]