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We've just come down from Lichfield to a pretty little farm -
I hope the change from Lichfield will never do us harm ;
The place we lived at Lichfield was named the Quarry Hill,
And now we live at Barton, at a farm called Barton Mill.

The house, a old and lofty one, which stands in counties two,
In Derbyshire and Staffordshire, with the water running through ;
The mill wheels they are ancient, but have done their duty well,
Having ground the wheat for a hundred years, which many a tale can tell.

The stream that now supplies it was the Trent in ancient days,
But modern times have altered things, and the Trent goes different ways ;
Plenty of fish, wild ducks, and swans are always to be seen ;
The meadows, rich and bountiful, are always growing green.

The house was old and rugged, the roof was falling too ;
Our landlord, very thoughtful, he came and looked it through ;
He said it must be papered and whitewashed all through,
And the garret stairs all taken down and new ones put there too.

And now the house is finished, and all is clean and right,
We work all day with pleasure, and rest in peace at night ;
Our cattle, too, are healthy, with good sheds to house them all,
With plenty in the rickyard to feed them at their call.

And this was in the year our good King Edward died,
Who ruled our mighty Empire, and for peace he always tried ;
His son, a gallant seaman, with long life may he be blessed
To rule us, as his Father did, until he goes to rest.

The main line of the Midland runs right across the farm,
But management it is so good they never do us harm ;
The porters at the crossing, both man and woman too,
They're always ready at the gates, and with caution let us through.

May God send down His providence and help us from above,
For which we've toiled for sixty years, for a home of peace and love ;
And when our days our ended, and we've taken flight above,
May our children ever remember us with thoughts of praise and love.

John Shelley 1910. Found amongst the archives at Catton Hall

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Last modified: February 05, 2006