Woodsman

If I could choose the life I pleased
Then I would be a woodsman
Among the forests and the wildwood free
No hasty words are spoken
My only law the woodland breeze
Would take me where the Hunter pleased
If I could choose the life I lead
Then I would be a woodsman
If I could choose the life I pleased
Then I would be a rover
And if the road was not for me
Then I would choose another
Across mountains and valleys deep
I would take these weary feet
If I could choose the life I pleased
Then I would be a rover
But these things are so hard for me
I cannot choose my own destiny
And all the things that I want to see
Are far from here
I wish I could choose the life I please
But I am not a free man
Ancestors choose my destiny
But my will is never broken
I know someday I will be
Everything that I dreamed I’d be
Then when I choose the life I please
Then I will be a woodsman

Based on Boatman by the Levellers which goes thus: