The later poems of John Clare 1837-1864 ... General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
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 | The later poems of John Clare |  |
SONG
[The sun was shining o'er the hill]
1
The sun was shining o'er the hillThe church spire peeped above the trees
And merry went the sparkling rill
And happy sung the morning bees
When Jockey he a courting went
To Mary Johnson young and fair
The dew hung on the bowing bent
And crowds of cowslips nodded there
When Jockey he a courting went
To Mary Johnson young and fair
416
2
In each new place were Mary wentThere ne'er was seen the like before
Each lusty clown his money spent
And set the tavern in a roar
Her shape and make, and handsome face
Won welcome looks from every eye
The shepherd sighed and left his place
The ploughman looked his head awry
Each tongue spoke of her bonny face
And Mary Johnson's all the cry
3
Her lips as red as coral wereThe very hue of Jockeys seal
Her cheeks, first roses of the year
Would soften bosoms hard as steel
The very toast of all the town
The ballad of the noisy fair
All sung her praises up and down
And Mary walked the stranger there
As handsome as a rose just blown
Was Mary Johnson young and fair
4
Her bosom white as is the doveHer eyes were black as is the sloe
And she was Jockey's choisest love
And Jockey was her only beau
To day the bells rung might and main
And rung a peal till eventide
They made the valleys ring again
Till many a cloud looked petrified
For Jockey was the happy swain
And Mary Johnson was the bride
| The later poems of John Clare | |