PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE

I've travelled about a bit in me time.
Of troubles I've seen a few.
I found it far better in every clime
To paddle me own canoe.

Me wants they are small. I care not at all.
Me debts they are paid when due.
I drive away strife from the ocean of life,
And paddle me own canoe.

And I have no wife to bother me life,
No lover to prove untrue.
The whole day long I laugh with the song
And paddle me own canoe.

So love everybody, trust only the few,
As the world I go travelling through,
And never sit down with a tear and a frown,
But paddle your own canoe.
I rise with the lark from daylight to dark.
I do what I have to do.
I'm careless in wealth. I've only me health
To paddle me own canoe.

And I have no wife to bother me life,
No lover to prove untrue.
The whole day long I laugh with the song,
And paddle me own canoe.

It's all very well to depend on a friend,
That is if you proved him true.
You'll find it better by far in the end
To paddle your own canoe.

To borrow is dearer by far than to buy,
A saying though old still true.
You never will sigh if you only will try
To paddle your own canoe.

Though England has ruled our small little land,
And many's the country too,
Just take my advice and never think twice
To paddle your own canoe.

It's better I say to make your own way,
As the world you go travelling through.
You never will sigh if you only will try
To paddle your own canoe.

I don't know who wrote this fair poem but I suspect a Scott. It pretty much sums up my philosophy of living. But, then there is a good deal of the Scots blood running in my veins.

Kinsey Barnard