Ashling

Lyrics

As I walked out, one old lady, dog walking day I spied a thin young woman, she was tightly laced in grey I removed my hat, straightened my back and to her I did say "Pray, tell to me, pray, tell it plainly but who exactly are you?" Oh she hung down her head and she raised up her eyes This thin young girl with the wizened hat and she said to my surprise "I'm only here to pass the time, unveil my fancy dyes Pray, tell me, sir, are you the kind who would mistreat me? Or are you only coming in across thе fields to greet me?" "Oh no" I said, "I'm herе to stay but I may leave next week I know you are a seagull girl, I can tell it by your beak And worse than that, there are things that I still seek" What's that she said from behind her veil? This dried up lemon lady Who looked not unlike a greybacked gull I searched, said I, both night and day for those who talk my talk In some far place not too far removed where I may lightly walk And sing my song, though my heart may mostly choke At this she cried, threw up her arms and suddenly grew wings Not unlike those you might find upon a greybacked gull It's over now, she's far and gone, leaving me with my load The hedges grow, the beetles work and the garden's not been mowed I sit and think and I play at cards and I wonder why she goed Or did she fly or was it I to whom this thing was showed? The sands are bare, no seagulls and I think I should have knowed She did not say to my face but now I see my lot For now, I know that where my place is, there I can be not Oh she did not say to my face but now I see my lot For now, I know that where my place is, there I can be not She did not say to my face but now I see my lot For now, I know that where my place is, there I can be not