John Jones, Clerk
John Jones, he was a faithful clerk
As any now alive;
You’d always find him at his work
From eight o’clock till five.
As any now alive;
You’d always find him at his work
From eight o’clock till five.
Without a single minute’s loss
He worked the tedious days,
Till once he said: “I’ll strike the boss
For just a little raise.”’
He worked the tedious days,
Till once he said: “I’ll strike the boss
For just a little raise.”’
“Why, Jones,” replied the Leader then,
“How can you be so base?
Why, I could get a hundred men
To-day to take your place.”
“How can you be so base?
Why, I could get a hundred men
To-day to take your place.”
So Jones apologized, and turned
Back to his daily books,
Until his nature fairly yearned
For fields and trees and brooks.
Back to his daily books,
Until his nature fairly yearned
For fields and trees and brooks.
“I need a rest,” requested Jones,
“Please, sir, may I be spared?”
Whereat the Boss in honeyed tones
Accordingly declared:
“Please, sir, may I be spared?”
Whereat the Boss in honeyed tones
Accordingly declared:
“Why, John, old chap, I’d like to let
You off for half a year;
But how would this old business get
Along without you here?”
You off for half a year;
But how would this old business get
Along without you here?”