The Hiring Fair

I went down to the hiring fair for to sell my labour,

And I noticed a maid in the very next row and I hoped

She'd be my neighbour.

Imagine then my delight when the farmer picked us both.

I spoke not a word in the cart to the farm, but my

Heart beat in my throat.

My lodging was dry and my master fair and I gave him

Full measure,

But my envy grew like the corn in the field for in his

House was my treasure,

And I'd watch her carry water, or drive cows from the

Byre,

And the heat from the sun made the corn grow strong and

With it my desire.

Well I'd see her in my dreaming and in my dreams caress

Her eyes, her lips and her dark brown hair, the curves

Beneath her dress.

But harvest time it came at last, so heavy was the task

That the women and the men worked side by side and I

Had her near at last,

And I swung harder with my scythe, few words between us

Passed,

And I cursed my tongue-tied youthfulness and I hoped

That she'd hear my heart.

When all was safely gathered in and we sat down to rest

My trembling fingers touched her arm, and she placed

Them on her breast.

And then she turned to me as the sun went down and all

My senses reeled,

As we lay there on the scented ground and the moon rose

Over the field.

She was safely gathered in my arms when from the barn

Drifted the sound of a violin and we hurried back to

The farm,

And all were dancing in the lantern light and music

Filled the air,

And I thanked my stars for the harvest moon and the

Girl from the hiring fair.

Oh all were dancing in the lantern light and music

Filled the air,

And I thanked my stars for the harvest moon and the

Girl from the hiring fair.