Classic Poem

I am a poor old man, come listen to my song.
Provisions now are twice as dear as when that I was young;
When this old hat was new and stood above my brow,
Oh what a happy youth was I when this old hat was new.

But four score years ago, the truth I do declare,
When men they took each other's word, they thought it very fair;
No oaths they did require, men's words they were so true,
'Twas thus in all my youthful days when this old hat was new.

And when the harvest came and we went off to shear,
How often we were merry made with brandy, ale and beer;
When corn it was brought home and put upon the mow,
The workers' paunches were well filled when this old hat was new.

At the board's head stood the farmer, the table for to grace,
And greeted all as they came in, each took his proper place;
His wife stood at the table to give each man his due,
And oh, what plenty did abound when this old hat was new.

But how the times are changed, the poor are quite done o'er,
They give to them their wages like beggars at the door;
In the house we must not go, although we are but few,
It was not so when Bess did reign and this old hat was new.

The commons are taken in and cottages pulled down,
Moll has got no wool to spin her linsey-wolsey gown;
'Tis cold and clothing's thin and blankets are but few,
But we were clothed both back and side when this old hat was new.

When Romans ruled this land, the commons they did give
Unto the poor in charity to help them for to live;
The poor are quite done o'er, we know it to be true,
It was not so when Bess did reign and this old hat was new.