There was a jolly miller once
Lived on the river Dee 
He worked and sang from morn 'til night
No lark more blithe than he
And this the burden of his song
Forever used to be
I care for nobody, no, not I
If nobody cares for me

The reason why he was so blithe
He once did thus unfold
The bread I eat, my hands have earned
I covet no man's gold 
I do not fear next quarter-day
In debt to none I be
I care for nobody, no, not I
If nobody cares for me

A coin or two I've in my purse
To help a needy friend 
A little I can give the poor
And still have some to spend
Though I may fail, yet I rejoice
Another's good hap to see
I care for nobody, no, not I
If nobody cares for me

So let us his example take
And be from malice free
Let every one his neighbour serve
As served he'd like to be
And merrily push the can about
And drink and sing with glee
If nobody cares a doit for us
Why not a doit care we