Will ‘o the Wisp by Arian Niwl Now Tom was a fine man oh so rare Handsome of features with ginger hair And a big heart that was friendly and fair Now each maiden from young to old From one’s so shy, to those so bold Raven haired to those with hair like gold Tried to catch the eye of Tom each day And many would go to church to pray That Tom would the magic words say But Tom would just touch the tip his hat To each lass, maiden, old and fair that Wished for him to pause a bit for a chat Now one foggy night with mist so drear Tom headed home after having a beer Spying across the moors a light so queer “Ah,” he said to himself pulling his cap down “Tis the Will o’ the Wisp,” trying to get me drown “Go away!” he called and said with a frown The light instead only moved his way And Tom watched and had a little pray For Tom had heard the stories of the fay Out of the mist resolved a woman so fair She shone with bright shining silver hair Stately and shining, she had that regal flair “Be not afraid, good sir,” finally said she “Curious I am, and no harm intend thee” “All I ask is that you tarry and attend me.” Tom bowed deep as a gentleman should Though cold, it was taught from childhood She waved a fair hand and then he stood “Fair lady what does thou want with me? I am but a humble man, that I attend thee. All I wish, lady, so fair, to home all I plea.” “Many a night I see thee walk but alone No companion, hast I seen or known Is they heart as cold as a moor stone?” “Not so is my heart cold lady oh so fair. I have not found one to my heart to care Many a day I seek answer to prayer” “My heart in twain I think it will break I have a hole in there it does ache I am not sure the sorrow will I shake” The woman shining did smile and nod “A mortal heart is a thing so flawed, And yet it can be something to laud.” “It is not for a man alone should be, Will you not then take a wife for thee? Or perhaps you may consider me?” Tom was struck nearly fully dumb His whole body it went quite numb The depths of his heart it did plumb In the village beautiful lasses quite true But none could compare in any hue To the Fay woman standing in the dew Tom swiftly knelt and took that fair hand “Lady, sweet lady if I could put on the band, But not do I have for you anything so grand.” She gathered him up and touched his face “Your wife I will be a promise in this place And I will attend thee for a mortal space.” “I your wife be, but for a year and a day You must never look or from me stray For if you glance at another I will slay” “You have my honest word lady fair From my heart to my breath on the air I shall not another glance or spare” Tom kept his word and honour best he could Then one day he smiled at a lass as she stood On his way to his home by the blackwood They found sweet Tom not far from the town The men spat and crossed themselves with a frown “Ah the Will o’ the Wisp, has gotten him drown!” Now if you look and watch on a cold moor’s night When the all should have gone home in fright A light can be seen dancing the moors with delight If you ask, the village folk will cross and say The Will o’ the Wisp with Tom had its way For Tom, foolish Tom as wife took a fay.
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