The first time I sing this for children, after I sing the first line of the song, I often stop ask if anyone knows what “wealthy” means, and tell them it means to not have money, to be poor. Then I explain that the song is about a person long ago coming to this country and having to make a living here, but that this farmer had a lot of problems. For “break my back,” I tell them that the farmer had to work so hard that it felt like he broke his back, but that he didn’t really. I have a page for each item in this song in my book.
When I first came to this land, I was not a wealthy man,
So I built myself a farm, and I did what I could.
And I called my farm, “Muscle in my arm.” Hold up fist, pat biceps
But the land was sweet and good, and I did what I could.
When I first came to this land, I was not a wealthy man,
So I built myself a shack, and I did what I could.
And I called my shack, “Break my back.” Pat back
And I called my farm, “Muscle in my arm.” Hold up fist, pat biceps
But the land was sweet and good, and I did what I could.
When I first came to this land, I was not a wealthy man,
So I got myself a cow, and I did what I could.
And I called my cow, “No milk now.” Waggle finger at children
And I called my shack, “Break my back.” Pat back
And I called my farm, “Muscle in my arm.” Hold up fist, pat biceps
But the land was sweet and good, and I did what I could.
Add on:
Horse: Tired, of course Cover yawning mouth with hand
Pig: Too darn big Arms curved around sides, lift shoulders
Duck: Out of luck Thumb down
Wife: Love of my life Love: Hands clenched at heart
of my LIFE: Hands stretched out and up
Son: My work’s done Hands/arms open to either side
Before I sing the last verse (son), I explain that the farmer has said “My work’s done!” which means he isn’t going to work anymore; instead, he’s going to sit in his shack drinking pink lemonade through a crazy straw while his son does all the work. Then I finish the song.
