In the cowslip pips I lie, Hidden from a buzzing fly, While green grass beneath me lies, Pearled with dew like fishes' eyes Here I lie, a clock-a-clay, Waiting for the time of day. While [the]1 forest quakes surprise, And the wild wind sobs and sighs, My home rocks as like to fall, On its pillar green and tall, While the pattering rain drives by, Clock-a-clay keeps warm and dry. Day by day and night by night, All the week I hide from sight, In the cowslip pips I lie, In rain and dew still warm and dry, Day and night and night and day, Red, black-spotted clock-a-clay. My home shakes in wind and showers, Pale green pillar topped with flowers, Bending at the wild wind's breath, Till I touch the grass beneath; Here I live, lone clock-a-clay, Watching for the time of day.
Pastoral Suite
Song Cycle by Cecil Armstrong Gibbs (1889 - 1960)
?. Clock‑a‑clay [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by John Clare (1793 - 1864), "Clock-a-clay", appears in Life and Remains of John Clare, first published 1873
See other settings of this text.
View original text (without footnotes)Note: clock-a-clay is an old name for the ladybird.
1 Bennett: "grassy"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 144