This poor man went round the house,
and in at the back door, Sir,
And softly went without his shoes
across the chamber floor, Sir.
This poor man he did snugly hear
all betwixt them was passing,
Which made the poor man for to say,
I think grinding is the fashion.
Long time you’ve ground in my wife’s mill,
and never paid the rent, Sir;
But now for all I’ll make you pay,
I swear I’m fully bent, Sir.
The miller did for mercy call,
saying, twenty pounds to you I’ll give,
And also for five years to come,
rent-free in this house you shall live.
That shall not do, the poor man said,
I’ll make you pay me fifty;
And no more rent to you I’ll pay,
a note you must-sign quickly.
The miller paid down fifty pounds,
and sign’d the note to end the strife;
I think that he did dearly pay
for grinding of the poor man’s wife.
