Classic Poem

(A Song )

As I wor goin' to the Fair,
I met a farmer's lass.
Sez I to her, " My pretty gell,
" I cannot let you pass. "
Sez she to me, " You must agree
" To let me on my way;
" For if I'm late, oh, deary me!
" What would my mother say? "

Sez I to her, " My Jinny dear,
" Your mother must abide.
" Turn round your faace, an' then apaace
" To Lincoln you shall ride.
For Dobbin here can taake us both
" Like owt: the good owd mare!
" So up you crack upon her back,
" An' hey for Lincoln Fair! "

She looked at me, then up she lep'
As nimble as could be;
All in a minute we wor off —
Old Dobbin — 'er — an' me.
" When we are theer you'll buy me cheer;
" You'll ware your money free —
" A 'kerchief fine, a glass of wine,
" An' ribbons two or three? "

" I'll buy you ribbons for your hair,
" A 'kerchief for your waist,
" A coral brooch, a string of beads,
" Whatever suits your taste;
" Besides, we'll bring another thing
" Afore we homeward turn " ;
" What's that? " sez she, a squeezin' me,
All anxious for to learn.

" Of course, it is a weddin' ring
" For you, my pretty dear. "
She gave a cry, an then a sigh,
An then she shed a tear.
I stopped the mare because I guessed
It wouldn't come amiss,
An' maakin' haaste, noa time to waaste,
I gev' to her a kiss.

Just then I heard a bloorin' noise.
An' next, oh lok-a-daay!
I felt a crack upon my back,
What flung me right awaay.
As soon as I set up agen,
Alas, what should I find,
But Jinny wi' 'er feyther,
On 'is 'oss off 'ooam behind!