by John Skinner, the Reverend (1721 - 1807)
John o' Badenyon
Language: English
When first I came to be a man, Of twenty years or so, I thought myself a handsome youth, And fain the world would know; In best attire I stept abroad, With spirits brisk and gay, And here and there, and ev'ry where, Was like a morn in May. No care I had, nor fear of want, But rambled up and down; And for a beau I might have pass'd In country or in town: I still was pleas'd where-e'er I went, And when I was alone, I tun'd my pipe, and pleas'd myself With John of Badenyon. Now, in the days of youthful prime, A mistress I must find; For love, they say, gives one an air, And ev'n improves the mind: On Phillis fair, above the rest, Kind fortune fix'd my eyes; Her piercing beauty struck my heart, And she became my choice: To Cupid then, with hearty pray'r, I offer'd many a vow, And danc'd and sung, and sigh'd and swore, As other lovers do: But when at last I breath'd my flame, I found her cold as stone; I left the girl, and tun'd my pipe To John of Badenyon. What next to do, I mus'd a while, Still hoping to succeed: I pitch'd on books for company, And gravely tried to read; I bought and borrow'd ev'ry where, And study'd night and day; Nor miss'd what dean or doctor wrote, That happen'd in my way. Philosophy I now esteem'd The ornament of youth, And carefully, thro' many a page, I hunted after truth: A thousand various schemes I try'd, And yet was pleas'd with none; I threw them by, and tun'd my pipe To John of Badenyon. And now, ye youngsters, ev'ry where, Who want to make a show, Take heed in time, nor vainly hope For happiness below; What you may fancy pleasure here, Is but an empty name; For girls, and friends, and books, and so, You'll find them all the same. Then be advis'd, and warning take, From such a man as me; I'm neither pope nor cardinal, Nor one of high degree; You'll find displeasure ev'ry where, Then do as I have done; E'en tune your pipe, and please yourself With John of Badenyon.
Authorship:
- by John Skinner, the Reverend (1721 - 1807), "John o' Badenyon" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by (Franz) Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809), "John o' Badenyon", JHW XXXII/3 no. 189, Hob. XXXIa no. 24bis [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2010-01-10
Line count: 64
Word count: 373