Hay-Making Poem by William Hutton

(TUNE--THE SILKEN SNOOD)


When Master would, and Mistress too,
For pleasure. and sea-bathing,
Of fair Carnarvon take a view,
I must of love be raving.
Then bring the fork, and bring the rake, in making hay I'll serve one.
The lassie of a lover sung, while they were at Carnarvon.

My Sunday shoes, and stockings white,
Were sure to be engaging;
And as they'd every eye invite,
They'd set the swains a raging.
Then bring the fork, and bring the rake, my love I will not starve on.
The lassie of a husband dreamt, while they were at Carnarvon.

I spread a smile upon my face,
In hopes to catch a lover;
The smartest girl in all the place
Might surely fix a rover.
Then bring the fork, and bring the rake, my lover's name I'll carve on.
The lassie most delighted was, while they were at Carnarvon.

I set my cap at Joseph D--,
Expecting store he'd set by't;
He saw I nimbly turn'd his hay.
A husband I would get by't.
Then bring the fork, and bring the rake, at table I will serve none.
The lassie thought her fortune made, while they were at CarNarvon.

Shall I proceed, or let you guess?
You blame him who discovers;
Think what you please, I'll not confess
What pass'd between the lovers.
Then bring the fork, and bring the rake--a husband, I deserve one.
The lassie slipp'd, and tumbl'd down, while they were at Carnarvon.

But what lay hid beneath a veil,
You shall not find me naming;
I'll leave a boy to tell the tale,
Who after nine months came in.
Then take away the fork and rake, in future I deserve none.
The lassie brought a little Joe, when they had left Carnarvon.