| Thomas Hardy (1840–1928). Wessex Poems and Other Verses. 1898. |
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| 21. The Stranger’s Song |
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| O MY trade it is the rarest one, | |
| Simple shepherds all— | |
| My trade is a sight to see; | |
| For my customers I tie, and take ’em up on high, | |
| And waft ’em to a far countree! | 5 |
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| My tools are but common ones, | |
| Simple shepherds all— | |
| My tools are no sight to see: | |
| A little hempen string, and a post whereon to swing, | |
| Are implements enough for me! | 10 |
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| To-morrow is my working day, | |
| Simple shepherds all— | |
| To-morrow is a working day for me: | |
| For the farmer’s sheep is slain, and the lad who did it ta’en, | |
And on his soul may God ha’ mer-cy!
Printed in “The Three Strangers,” 1883. | 15 |
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