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Woak Hill

By William Barnes

Topics: classic

When sycamore leaves wer a-spreaden Green-ruddy in hedges, Bezide the red doust o' the ridges, A-dried at Woak Hill; I packed up my goods, all a-sheenen Wi' long years o' handlen, On dousty red wheels ov a waggon, To ride at Woak Hill. The brown thatchen ruf o' the dwellen I then wer a-leaven, Had sheltered the sleek head o' Meary, My bride at Woak Hill. But now vor zome years, her light voot-vall 'S a-lost vrom the vlooren. To soon vor my jay an' my childern She died at Woak Hill. But still I do think that, in soul, She do hover about us; To ho vor her motherless childern, Her pride at Woak Hill. Zoo -lest she should tell me hereafter I stole off 'ithout her, An' left her, uncalled at house-ridden, To bide at Woak Hill - I called her so fondly, wi' lippens All soundless to others, An' took her wi' air-reachen hand To my zide at Woak Hill. On the road I did look round, a-talken To light at my shoulder, An' then led her in at the doorway, Miles wide vrom Woak Hill. An' that's why vo'k thought, vor a season, My mind wer a-wandren Wi' sorrow, when I wer so sorely A-tried at Woak Hill. But no; that my Meary mid never Behold herzelf slighted, I wanted to think that I guided My guide vrom Woak Hill.

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Author:William Barnes

"When sycamore leaves wer a-spreaden..." by William Barnes

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William Barnes

About William Barnes

William Barnes (1801–1886) was an English poet who wrote in Dorset dialect. His nature poems and pastoral verses celebrate rural English life with linguistic precision and deep feeling.

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