THE SONG OF THE PLOUGH

Words and music: Nick Keir

	Turn, turn, the seasons turn 

          	The children sport and play

          	But the ploughman's first to feel the wind 

          	And the sun at the break of day



Just as the sun is rising so we must rise and plough

And tend and feed the plough-team that stands so still and proud

Their backs are strong as iron but their hearts are gentle and kind

And yoke them to the ploughshare and leave the farm behind



His hands are sore and calloused, he keeps them straight in line

His eye is sure and steady, his team well-matched and fine

The earth is hard and frosty as a mist comes from the sea

The open sky above him, the gulls for company



And when the land lies ready we'll scatter and we'll sow

And with God's help and sunlight the seeds shall surely grow

And when the harvest's ended we'll gather in the grain

A bushel for the springtime to sow the fields again



And now the yoking's over, the long day's work is done

The horses are but shadows in the waning of the sun

The ploughman needs his sleep now for his back is weary and sore

Early he must rise again and to ploughing come once more