The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-10-20
Hsarby and .Boan.

We find, In an exchange paper trom Pennsyl-
vania,a copy ofthe aneientand cclcrated ballad
of Darby and Joan, which we reproduce below.
1t is said that gentleman possessing n library
ef eighty thousand volumes was applied to for
this literary rclique, hut could moi find it, With
some knowledge oflihrarieS, and of labbling in
books during forty years, we have never met
with the piece In print before though il is said
the u 5. Almanac for 1910, published in Phla-
delphia, by David Young, contains it. Our read
eIs who are past "middle age,p viii recognize 1t
as among the Sounds from the Nursery. The
ballad is written mmodern English, which indi-
Gates that its origin is later than that of Chevy
Chase, the author Of which is now unknown,
though his lines are immortal. "Darby and
Joansi teaches q lesson which might possibly ht
profitable, while pseudo -plhilanthropists nrc re-
adjusting tho relative conditions of the sexes
Here It is: r Ed. STuI.wATEI VALLEY GA
zErrE,l
When Darby saw the setting sun
He swung his scythe and home hu run
sat down, drank off his quart, and Slid
''My work is done, I'll go To bed.
"'AIy work is done =" retortcd Joan,
'.sBfy work is done!' your constant tone;
Bot helpless woman ne'er can say
Her work is done, till Judgment Day
You men can sleep all night, but we
Must toll" "Mh0Se fault is that?" quOtll he.
81 know your meaning, Joan replied
'But, sir, my tongue snail not be uel,
will 90 on, and let you know
What work poor women have to do:
First, in the morning though we feel
As sick as drunkardS when they reel
Yes, feel such pains in back or head,
As would contine you men to bed
We ply the brush, we WELD the broom,
We ali the beds and right the room;
The cows must next be milked-and then
We eget the breakfast for the men.
Ere this is done, with whiInpering cries
And bristly hair the children rise;
These must be dressd and dOs'd with rue,
And fed-and all because of you.
We next"-here Darby scratched his head
Andstole OFF grumbling to his bed;
And only said, as ON the run,
"Zoundsl wOmans cack is never DONE
AT early dawn. ere Phdbus rose,
Old Joan resumed her tale of woes;
When Darby thus--"I'll end the strife,
BE You the man and the wife;
TakeyOu the scythe and NOV, while !
Will all your boastCd cares supply
"Content," quoth Joan, "give me my stcnt,"
This Darby did, and out she went.
Old Darby rose, and seized the broom,
And whirl'd the dirt about the room
Which having done, he scarce knew how,
He hied TO milk the brindled COW.
The brindled COW whisk'd round her tail
In Darby's eyes, and kicked the pail;
The clown, perplexed with grief and pain,
Swore he'd ne'er try to milk again;
When, turning round, in sad amaze,
He saw his cottage in "A blaze
For, as he CHANGED to brush the room
In careless haste, he fired the broom.
The fire ut last suhdud, he swOre
The broom and he should meet no more.
PTess'd by misfortune aud perpleXd,
Darby prepared for breakfast next;
But what to get, he scarcely knew
The bread was spent, the butter, too
His hands bedaubed with paste and flour,
Old Darby labOr'd full an hour;
But luclIless wight thou couldst not make
The bread take form of loaf or cake.
AS every door wide open stood,
In pushed the sow In quest Of food
And, stumbling onwards, with her snOut
O'erSet the churn--the cream ran out.
AS Darby turn'd, the SOW to beat,
The slippry cream betrayed his feet
He caught the bread trough in his fall
And down came Darby, trough and all.
The children, wakened by the clatter,
Start up and cry, "Oh what's the matter?'
Old Jowler barlSed, and rabby mcw'd,
And hnpless Darby bewl'd aloud,
''Return my Joan, as heretofore, n
I'll play the housewives part no mOre
Since, now, by sad experience taught,
GompaT'd 10 thine, my work il naught.
HencefOrth, as business calls, I'll take,
Content, the plough, the seythe, the rake,
And neYermOre transgress the line
Our fntes have marked, while thou art mine,
Then, Joan, return as heretofore,
III vex your honest soul no more;
Let each our proper task attend
Forgive the past, and strive to mend"