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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I MAYBE CANNA SING |
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 | The later poems of John Clare |  |
I MAYBE CANNA SING
I may be canna sing But I mun up, and try a verse or two
For a bonny lass has wandered bye Wi' eyes as bright as morning dew
Wi' bosom white as lammies wool Whi' cheeks as red as rose brere
Could I that rosey kiss obtain I'd get my hearts own wishes here
For a bonny lass has wandered bye Wi' eyes as bright as morning dew
Wi' bosom white as lammies wool Whi' cheeks as red as rose brere
Could I that rosey kiss obtain I'd get my hearts own wishes here
The bramble bush is a in flower The linnet busy with her young
Leading them in the white thorn bower Where lone hedge sparrows loudly sung
A bonny maiden in her prime As ever eyes did wish to see
Ann Bodenham queen of rural rhyme That dwells beside the river Lea
Leading them in the white thorn bower Where lone hedge sparrows loudly sung
A bonny maiden in her prime As ever eyes did wish to see
Ann Bodenham queen of rural rhyme That dwells beside the river Lea
In brown silk gown she passed me bye As bonny as the blooms O May
I felt as I was like to die And sighed but had no word to say
Her voice was just as music speaks Her lips were rubies wet wi' dew
I thought of her for many weeks And loved her tenderly and true
I felt as I was like to die And sighed but had no word to say
735
I thought of her for many weeks And loved her tenderly and true
Ann Bodenham on the river Lea, To me seemed all the world in one
My heart on fire appeared to be Then turned to ice when she was gone
I loved her dear throughout the year Where she was not no peace could be
She was my own my only dear Ann B[o]denham on the River Lea
My heart on fire appeared to be Then turned to ice when she was gone
I loved her dear throughout the year Where she was not no peace could be
She was my own my only dear Ann B[o]denham on the River Lea
| The later poems of John Clare | |