Heffle Cuckoo Fair
M. Shaw
Tell it to the locked-up trees,
Cuckoo, bring your song here!
Warrant, Act and Summons, please,
For Spring to pass along here!
Tell old Winter, if he doubt,
Tell him squat and square-a!
Old Woman!
Old Woman's let the Cuckoo out
At Heffle Cuckoo Fair-a!
March has searched and April tried --
'Tisn't long to May now.
Not so far to Whitsuntide,
And Cuckoo's come to stay now!
Hear the valiant fellow shout
Down the orchard bare-a!
Old Woman!
Old Woman's let the Cuckoo out
At Heffle Cuckoo Fair-a!
When your heart is young and gay
And the season rules it --
Work your works and play your play
Before the Autumn cools it!
Kiss you turn and turn about,
But, my lad, beware-a!
Old Woman!
Old Woman's let the Cuckoo out
At Heffle Cuckoo Fair-a!