[page 426]

THE HUMSTRUM.

Why woonce, at Chris'mas-tide, avore

The wold year wer a-reckon'd out,

The humstrums here did come about,

A-soundèn up at ev'ry door.

But now a bow do never screäpe

A humstrum, any where all round,

An' zome can't tell a humstrum's sheäpe,

An' never heärd his jinglèn sound.