THE SONG OF THE WILLOW WAND
SING hey the green willow
That grows in my valley!
Oh who would climb hill-tops
To see what’s beyond!
There came a gipsy vagabond
A-strolling down my valley,
With honey mouth for kissing
And a gown of dusky red.
“So this is how ye spend the days
Wi’ never a wind to freshen ye—
Climb up the hill wi’ me, my lad,
An’ look—see what’s beyond!”
She laughed wi’ me, and shared sweet bread,
And waved a willow wand.
By green moonlight we climbed the hill
And reached the top at morn,
And then she stood on tip-toe there
And blew a silver horn.
Oh at the other side the hill
Her gipsy lord was waiting there ...
I saw a joyous mating there
That left me all forlorn.
I watched her gown of dusky red
Against the blue horizon ...
Oh that was how I climbed the hill
And saw the world beyond.
I wonder why God let her come
And share sweet bread a-laughing,
And leave a-lying at my feet
Her broken willow wand.
Sing hey the green willow
That grows in my valley!
Oh who would climb hill-tops
To see what’s beyond?