Rich Man, Poor Man
Language: English
Rich man, poor man, Beggar-man, thief. Gentleman, Apothecary, Indian Chief. Soldier brave and Sailor true. Skilled physician, Oxford blue. Gouty nobleman, Squire so hale, Dashing airman, Curate pale. Tailor, drummer and Stealer of beef, One knows joy And one knows grief. Lady, Lady, on the seashore You have children, One to four. O Lady, dear Lady, You've kids by the score. The eldest is -- Why, he's twenty-four! You ought to marry a... Rich man, poor man, Beggar-man, thief. Gentleman, Apothecary, Indian Chief. Soldier brave and Sailor true. Skilled physician, Oxford blue. Gouty nobleman, Squire so hale, Dashing airman, Curate pale. Tailor, drummer and Stealer of beef, One knows joy And one knows grief.
Text Authorship:
- from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , Mother Goose [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 Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Rich Man, Poor Man", 2005 [mezzo-soprano and piano], from Nursery Rhymes and Children's Prayers, no. 7 [ sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2007-05-02
Line count: 40
Word count: 113