My Father Was A Farmer: A Ballad Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA| lly he bred me in decency and order O | A |
| He bade me act a manly part though I had ne'er a farthing O | A |
| For without an honest manly heart no man was worth regarding O | A |
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| Then out into the world my course I did determine O | A |
| Tho' to be rich was not my wish yet to be great was charming O | A |
| My talents they were not the worst nor yet my education O | A |
| Resolv'd was I at least to try to mend my situation O | A |
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| In many a way and vain essay I courted Fortune's favour O | A |
| Some cause unseen still stept between to frustrate each endeavour O | A |
| Sometimes by foes I was o'erpower'd sometimes by friends forsaken O | A |
| And when my hope was at the top I still was worst mistaken O | A |
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| Then sore harass'd and tir'd at last with Fortune's vain delusion O | A |
| I dropt my schemes like idle dreams and came to this conclusion O | A |
| The past was bad and the future hid its good or ill untried O | A |
| But the present hour was in my pow'r and so I would enjoy it O | A |
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| No help nor hope nor view had I nor person to befriend me O | A |
| So I must toil and sweat and moil and labour to sustain me O | A |
| To plough and sow to reap and mow my father bred me early O | A |
| For one he said to labour bred was a match for Fortune fairly O | A |
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| Thus all obscure unknown and poor thro' life I'm doom'd to wander O | A |
| Till down my weary bones I lay in everlasting slumber O | A |
| No view nor care but shun whate'er might breed me pain or sorrow O | A |
| I live to day as well's I may regardless of to morrow O | A |
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| But cheerful still I am as well as a monarch in his palace O | A |
| Tho' Fortune's frown still hunts me down with all her wonted malice O | A |
| I make indeed my daily bread but ne'er can make it farther O | A |
| But as daily bread is all I need I do not much regard her O | A |
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| When sometimes by my labour I earn a little money O | A |
| Some unforeseen misfortune comes gen'rally upon me O | A |
| Mischance mistake or by neglect or my goodnatur'd folly O | A |
| But come what will I've sworn it still I'll ne'er be melancholy O | A |
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| All you who follow wealth and power with unremitting ardour O | A |
| The more in this you look for bliss you leave your view the farther O | A |
| Had you the wealth Potosi boasts or nations to adore you O | A |
| A cheerful honest hearted clown I will prefer before you O | A |
Robert Burns
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