As he clasped her hands in new-born hope— And never noticed they smelt of soap.
Only the sunflowers looking on, So he kissed the maid—oh, foolish John!
As he went out through the garden gate Ned Brown was coming to learn his fate.
He was riding John's own chestnut mare, But, somehow, John didn't seem to care.
The two men met at top of the hill, And eyed each other as rivals will.
Ned thought of the home he'd won from John, "Poor beggar!" he said, as he rode on.
John thought of all he had won from Ned, "You poor, poor beggar!" was what he said.
Why? Under the heavens clear and blue Only our John and the sunflowers knew.