The Farmer's Lament

"The backbone of the country and the salt of all the earth" --
      That was how they styled us when the farmer had his worth.
         But what's his valuation now, when times are pretty thin?
Chorus:
      Two bob a dozen, an' the garments given in.
Solo:
      We made the country's money an' we paid the country's way,
      We raised the wealth for cities from the farm thro' many a day;
         But what's the price of farmers now the profits disappeared?
Chorus:
      Two bob a dozen, an' a bonus on the beard.
Solo:
      They'll pay to patch machinery or cure old Dobbin's sprain;
      But they cannot spare a stiver when the farmer gets a pain;
         For what's the use o' mendin' him when all he's valued at --
Chorus:
      Is two bob a dozen, if he's nice an' prime an' fat.
Solo:
      But the farmer ain't repinin', tho' his price is down an' out.
      There's a good time  comin' soon without the smallest doubt;
         But, till the world wins sanity, he's got to be content --
Chorus:
      With two bob a dozen, cash with order ten per cent.