A Merry Irish Dance
I heard a strange and sprightly tune
So I thought I’d take a look.
The shadows were long; day was past.
It was time for the moon to rise,
When I rounded a boulder and ducked back, fast
As I saw to my great surprise,
A pixie piper and drummer, too
And dancing on the lawn,
Were little people and yes, it’s true!
Each one was a leprechaun.
Each small and perfect fellow
Led a lady in the dance;
They were dressed in green and yellow
And I watched them skip and prance
And as I watched an idea bold
Came rushing to me brain;
I’ll catch one and get the faerie gold
And as a king I’ll reign
Then suddenly they spied me
In a flurry of motion they’d gone,
And behind me nor beside me
There was not one leprechaun
I sighed and shook me head
As I headed for me farm;
Me thoughts turned now to tay and bread
And me pipe and a fire warm
No one would believe me
Of the story I related;
They might even perceive me
As daft, or addlepated
It will bring me pleasure
So I’ll keep it to me self
As a memory to be treasured
Of each merry Irish elf
I’d come upon them by lucky chance
I’d heard a faerie tune,
And seen the little people dance
by the light of the rising moon.
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