I AM the cooper: I bind the cask;
The sweat flows down, as I drive my task:
Yet on with the hoop, and merry's the sound,
As I featly pound
And with block and with hammer go travelling round
And round and round.

I am the cooper: I bind the cask;
And gay as play is my nimble task;
And though I grow crooked with stooping to pound,
Yet merry's the sound
As, with block and with hammer, I journey round
And round and round.

I am the cooper: I bind the cask;
Am healthy and happy, what more shall I ask?
Not in king's palaces, I'll be bound,
Such joy is found,
Where men do nothing and still are going round
And round and round.

So I'll still be a cooper, and bind the cask,
Bread for wife and children is all I ask;
And glad will they be at night, I'll be bound,
That, with cheerful sound,
Father went all day long hammering round
And round and round.