The Dusky Crew

Our heads were rough and our hands were black With the ink-stain's midnight hue; We scouted all, both great and small— We were a dusky crew; And each boy's hand was against us raised— 'Gainst me and the Other Two.

We chased the hare from her secret lair, We roamed the woodlands through; In parks and grounds far out of bounds Wandered our dusky crew; And the keepers swore to see us pass— Me and the Other Two.

And one there was who was light of limb, Nimble and wary too. A spirit grim we made of him Unto our dusky crew: He fetched and carries for all us three— For me and the Other Two.

Our secret caves in the cold, dark earth The luscious lettuce grew; We ate the cress in merriness— We were a dusky crew; The radish red gave sweet repast To me and the Other Two.

Our lettuces are dead and gone, Our plans are fallen through; We wander free in misery— We are a wretched crew: For a master's wrath has fallen on us— On me and the Other Two.

He found our cave in the cold, dark earth, He crept the branches through; He caught us all in our Council-Hall— Caught us, a dusky crew; To punishment he led us all— Me and the Other Two.

Our lettuces are dead and gone, Our plans have fallen through; We wander free in misery— We are a wretched crew. Will happiness no more return To me and the Other Two?