In a shady nook one moonlight night,
a leprechaun I spied:
With scarlet cap and coat of green,
A cruiskeen by his side.

'Twas tick tack tick, his hammer went,
Upon a weeny shoe;
And I laughed to think of a purse of gold;
but the fairy was laughing too!

With tiptoe step and beating heart,
Quite softly I drew nigh:
There was mischief in his merry face;
A twinkle in his eye.

He hammered and sang with tiny voice,
And drank his mountain dew,
And I laughed to think he was caught at last;
But the fairy was laughing too!

As quick as thought I seized the elf:
"Your fairy purse," I cried.
"The purse," he said, " 'tis in her hand,
That lady at your side."

I turned to look: the elf was off!
Then what was I to do?
O, I laughed to think what a fool I'd been;
And the fairy was laughing too!