The Song Of The Willow Wand

Sing hey the green willow That grows in my valley! Oh who would climb hill-tops To see what’s beyond!

There came a gipsy vagabond A-strolling down my valley, With honey mouth for kissing And a gown of dusky red. “So this is how ye spend the days Wi’ never a wind to freshen ye-- Climb up the hill wi’ me, my lad, An’ look--see what’s beyond!” She laughed wi’ me, and shared sweet bread, And waved a willow wand. By green moonlight we climbed the hill And reached the top at morn, And then she stood on tip-toe there And blew a silver horn. Oh at the other side the hill Her gipsy lord was waiting there ... I saw a joyous mating there That left me all forlorn. I watched her gown of dusky red Against the blue horizon ... Oh that was how I climbed the hill And saw the world beyond. I wonder why God let her come And share sweet bread a-laughing, And leave a-lying at my feet Her broken willow wand.

Sing hey the green willow That grows in my valley! Oh who would climb hill-tops To see what’s beyond?