When I first came to this land, I was not a wealthy man
So I got myself a shack and  I did what I could
And I called my shack, "Break my back"
But the land was sweet and good and I did what I could

When I first came to this land, I was not a wealthy man,
So I got myself a cow and I did what I could
And I called my cow, "No milk now"
And I called my shack, "Break my back"
But the land was sweet and good and I did what I could

When I first came to this land, I was not a wealthy man,
So I got myself a duck and I did what I could
And I called my duck, "Out of luck"
And I called my cow, "No milk now"
And I called my shack, "Break my back"
But the land was sweet and good and I did what I could

When I first came to this land, I was not a wealthy man,
So I got myself a wife and I did what I could
And I called my wife, "Run for your life"
And I called my duck, "Out of luck"
And I called my cow, "No milk now"
And I called my shack, "Break my back"
But the land was sweet and good and I did what I could

When I first came to this land, I was not a wealthy man,
So I got myself a son and I did what I could
And I called my son, "My work's done"
And I called my wife, "Run for your life"
And I called my duck, "Out of luck"
And I called my cow, "No milk now"
And I called my shack, "Break my back"
But the land was sweet and good and I did what I could