The Mead A-Mow’d

written by


« Reload image

When sheädes do vall into ev'ry hollow,
  An' reach vrom trees half athirt the groun';
  An' banks an' walls be a-lookèn yollow,
  That be a-turn'd to the zun gwaïn down;
  Drough haÿ in cock, O,
  We all do vlock, O,
  Along our road vrom the meäd a-mow'd.

  An' when the last swaÿèn lwoad's a-started
  Up hill so slow to the lofty rick,
  Then we so weary but merry-hearted,
  Do shoulder each 's a reäke an' pick,
  Wi' empty flagon,
  Behind the waggon,
  To teäke our road vrom the meäd a-mow'd.

  When church is out, an' we all so slowly
  About the knap be a-spreadèn wide,
  How gaÿ the paths be where we do strolly
  Along the leäne an' the hedge's zide;
  But nwone's a voun', O,
  Up hill or down, O,
  So gaÿ's the road drough the meäd a-mow'd.

  An' when the visher do come, a-drowèn
  His flutt'ren line over bleädy zedge,
  Drough groun's wi' red thissle-heads a-blowèn,
  An' watchèn o't by the water's edge;
  Then he do love, O,
  The best to rove, O,
  Along his road drough the meäd a-mow'd.

© William Barnes