ONCE I loved a maiden fair, <br />Over the hills and jar away, <br />Lands she had and lovers to spare, <br />Over the hills and far away. <br />And I was stooped and troubled sore, <br />And my face was pale, and the coat I wore <br />Was thin as my supper the night before <br />Over the hills and far away. <br /> <br />Once I passed in the Autumn late, <br />Over the hills and jar away, <br />Her bawn and barn and painted gate, <br />Over the hills and jar away. <br />She was leaning there in the twilight space, <br />Sweet sorrow was on her fair young face, <br />And her wistful eyes were away from the place, <br />Over the hills and jar away. <br /> <br />Maybe she thought as she watched me come, <br />Over the hills and jar away, <br />With my awkward stride and my face so glum, <br />Over the hills and jar away. <br />Spite of his stoop, he still is young, <br />They say he goes the Shee among, <br />Ballads he makes; I've heard them sung <br />Over the hills and jar away. <br /> <br />She gave me good-night in gentle wise, <br />Over the hills and jar away, <br />Shyly lifting to mine, dark eyes, <br />Over the hills and jar away. <br />What could I do but stop and speak, <br />And she no longer proud, but meek? <br />She plucked me a rose like her wild-rose cheek- <br />Over the hills and jar away. <br /> <br />To-morrow Mavourneen a sleeveen weds, <br />Over the hills and jar away, <br />With corn in haggard and cattle in sheds, <br />Over the hills and jar away. <br />And I who have lost her, the dear, the rare- <br />Well, I got me this ballad to sing at the fair, <br />Twill bring enough money to drown my care, <br />Over the hills and jar away.<br /><br />Padraic Colum<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-ballad-maker/
