Back of my back, they talk of me
Gabble and honk and hiss
Let them batten, and let them be
Me, I can sing them this

"Better to shiver beneath the stars
Head on a faithless breast
Than peer at the night through rusted bars
And share an irksome rest

"Better to see the dawn come up
Along of a trifling one
Than set a steady man's cloth and cup
And pray the day be done

"Better be left by twenty dears
Than lie in a loveless bed
Better a loaf that's wet with tears
Than cold, unsalted bread."

Back of my back, they wag their chins
Whinny and bleat and sigh
But better a heart a-bloom with sins
Than hearts gone yellow and dry!