THE VAGABOND

I know the pools where the grayling rise,

I know the trees where the filberts fall,

I know the woods where the red fox lies,

The twisted elms where the brown owls call.

And I’ ve seldom a shilling to call my own,

And there’ s never a girl I’ d marry,

I thank the Lord I’ m a rolling stone

With never a care to carry.

I talk to the stars as they come and go

On every night from July to June,

I’ m free of the speech of the winds that blow,

And I know what weather will sing what tune.

I sow no seed and I pay no rent,

And I thank no man for his bounties,

But I’ ve a treasure that’ s never spent,

I’ m lord of a dozen counties.