Ballade Of A Great Weariness lyrics

There's little to have but the things I had,

There's little to bear but the things I bore.

There's nothing to carry and naught to add,

And glory to Heaven, I paid the score.

There's little to do but I did before,

There's little to learn but the things I know;

And this is the sum of a lasting lore:

Scratch a lover, and find a foe.

And couldn't it be I was young and mad

If ever my heart on my sleeve I wore?

There's many to claw at a heart unclad,

And little the wonder it ripped and tore.

There's one that'll join in their push and roar,

With stories to jabber, and stones to throw;

He'll fetch you a lesson that costs you sore:

Scratch a lover, and find a foe.

So little I'll offer to you, my lad;

It's little in loving I set my store.

There's many a maid would be flushed and glad,

And better you'll knock at a kindlier door.

I'll dig at my lettuce, and sweep my floor,

Forever, forever I'm done with woe.

And happen I'll whistle about my chore,

"Scratch a lover, and find a foe."

L'ENVOI

Oh, beggar or prince, no more, no more!

Be off and away with your strut and show.

The sweeter the apple, the blacker the core:

Scratch a lover, and find a foe!

• Artist:Dorothy Parker