THE HEDGER’S LAY

I’d sooner go hedging than build a stone wall

All pick up and place it and hope it don’t fall

When the east wind blows bitter and keen through the trees

I’d sooner lay blackthorn than dry wall and freeze

I’d sooner go hedging, the best thing I know

For anger and anguish and woman made woe

No matter how hurt or insulted I feel

A tussle with blackthorn will help it to heal

I’d sooner go hedging than read in a book

For more you get thinking the darker things look

Since study and weeping are hard on the eyes

I’d sooner lay blackthorn than learn to be wise

I’d sooner go hedging than seek all my days

For wealth or position or other men’s praise

Plain billhook and axe are the tools of my trade

Six shillings a chain is the rate I am paid

I’d sooner go hedging than lie in my bed

With wench that grows sourer the longer we’m wed

But much as I grieve for our loving when young

I’d sooner lay blackthorn than suffer her tongue

I’d sooner go hedging but come next spring

I’ll be up and be gone like a bird on the wing

And all I shall miss when I reach my new home

Will be hedges to slash at and blackthorn in bloom