John Ireland — When Daffodils Begin to Peer

When daffodils begin to peer - With heigh! The doxy over the dale - Why, then comes the sweet o' the year; For the red blood reigns in the winter's pale The white sheet bleaching on the hedge - With heigh! The sweet birds, O how they sing! Doth set my pugging tooth on edge; For a quart of ale is a dish for a king The lark, that tirra-lirra chants With heigh! with heigh! The thrush and the jay Are summer songs for me and my aunts While we lie tumbling in the hay But shall I go mourn for that, my dear? The pale moon shines by night: And when I wander here and there I then do most go right Jog on, jog on, the foot-path way And merrily hent the stile-a: A merry heart goes all the day Your sad tires in a mile-a