IF AND BUT
If a man only knew all there was to knowOf a fox and his cunning ways;If he knew all the turns of his cunning brainAnd could beat all the tricks he plays.If he had all the brutal force of an ox,And the tireless strength of the moose;If he could look as meek as a lamb,And as silly as any goose.If his eyes were as keen as an eagle’s,And he could look as sage as an owl;If he were as fierce as a lion,And could terrify with his growl;If he was as stubborn as a pig,And as patient as a mule;If he was as ruthless as a tiger cat,And had the assurance of a fool;If he were quick in danger, slow in wrath,And as coy as a country maid—Why, then I really do believeHe could make a success inTRADE.But, as I’m not any or all these things,And have no great love of pelf,I sit here tight in my Government jobQuite satisfied with myself;Happy if I can finance my wayFrom one fifteenth to another,And scribble my rhyme any old timeAnd ambition’s promptings smother.
If a man only knew all there was to knowOf a fox and his cunning ways;If he knew all the turns of his cunning brainAnd could beat all the tricks he plays.If he had all the brutal force of an ox,And the tireless strength of the moose;If he could look as meek as a lamb,And as silly as any goose.If his eyes were as keen as an eagle’s,And he could look as sage as an owl;If he were as fierce as a lion,And could terrify with his growl;If he was as stubborn as a pig,And as patient as a mule;If he was as ruthless as a tiger cat,And had the assurance of a fool;If he were quick in danger, slow in wrath,And as coy as a country maid—Why, then I really do believeHe could make a success inTRADE.But, as I’m not any or all these things,And have no great love of pelf,I sit here tight in my Government jobQuite satisfied with myself;Happy if I can finance my wayFrom one fifteenth to another,And scribble my rhyme any old timeAnd ambition’s promptings smother.
If a man only knew all there was to knowOf a fox and his cunning ways;If he knew all the turns of his cunning brainAnd could beat all the tricks he plays.If he had all the brutal force of an ox,And the tireless strength of the moose;If he could look as meek as a lamb,And as silly as any goose.If his eyes were as keen as an eagle’s,And he could look as sage as an owl;If he were as fierce as a lion,And could terrify with his growl;If he was as stubborn as a pig,And as patient as a mule;If he was as ruthless as a tiger cat,And had the assurance of a fool;If he were quick in danger, slow in wrath,And as coy as a country maid—Why, then I really do believeHe could make a success inTRADE.But, as I’m not any or all these things,And have no great love of pelf,I sit here tight in my Government jobQuite satisfied with myself;Happy if I can finance my wayFrom one fifteenth to another,And scribble my rhyme any old timeAnd ambition’s promptings smother.
If a man only knew all there was to know
Of a fox and his cunning ways;
If he knew all the turns of his cunning brain
And could beat all the tricks he plays.
If he had all the brutal force of an ox,
And the tireless strength of the moose;
If he could look as meek as a lamb,
And as silly as any goose.
If his eyes were as keen as an eagle’s,
And he could look as sage as an owl;
If he were as fierce as a lion,
And could terrify with his growl;
If he was as stubborn as a pig,
And as patient as a mule;
If he was as ruthless as a tiger cat,
And had the assurance of a fool;
If he were quick in danger, slow in wrath,
And as coy as a country maid—
Why, then I really do believe
He could make a success inTRADE.
But, as I’m not any or all these things,
And have no great love of pelf,
I sit here tight in my Government job
Quite satisfied with myself;
Happy if I can finance my way
From one fifteenth to another,
And scribble my rhyme any old time
And ambition’s promptings smother.