I heard the poor man cry
About twelve inches long
Once I was a tax man
36 inches high was I
Were put to a shackle and key
In the canon's roar
I never got over bein' a tax man
I heard the rich man grumble
Three times me made a yardstick
36 inches high
Once I was a ruler
Some few couldn't afford to pay
36 inches high
I never got over bein' a soldier
And I lost track of the men who fell
Carryin' the flags of war
Silver pistols at my side
Collectin' dollars and dimes
