by Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928)
The Stranger's Song
Language: English
O my trade it is the rarest one,
Simple shepherds all --
My trade is a sight to see;
For my customers I tie, and take 'em up on high,
And waft 'em to a far countree!
My tools are but common ones,
Simple shepherds all --
My tools are no sight to see:
A little hempen string, and a post whereon to swing,
Are implements enough for me!
To-morrow is my working day,
Simple shepherds all --
To-morrow is a working day for me:
For the farmer's sheep is slain, and the lad who did it ta'en,
And on his soul may God ha' mer-cy!
Text Authorship:
- by Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928), "The stranger's song" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Henry Balfour Gardiner (1877 - 1950), "The Stranger's Song", published 1903, first performed 1904 [ voice and piano or orchestra ] [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Barbara Miller
This text was added to the website: 2008-08-13
Line count: 15
Word count: 103