Father John’s War-Song
THE REAPERS.

So many reapers, Father John,

So many reapers and no little son,

To meet you when the day is done,

With little stiff legs to waddle and run?

Pray you beg, borrow, or steal one son.

Hurrah for the corn-sheaves of Father John!
FATHER JOHN.

O maiden Mary, be wary, be wary!

And go not down to the river,

Lest the kingfisher, your evil wisher,

Lure you down to the river,

Lest your white feet grow muddy,

Your red hair too ruddy

With the river-mud so red;

But when you are wed

Go down to the river.

O maiden Mary, be very wary,

And dwell among the corn!

See, this dame Alice, maiden Mary,

Her hair is thin and white,

But she is a housewife good and wary,

And a great steel key hangs bright

From her gown, as red as the flowers in corn;

She is good and old like the autumn corn.
MAIDEN MARY.<............