Classic Poem

Tom, he was a piper's son,
He learned to play when he was young,
But all the tune that he could play
Was, " Over the hills and far away. "

Over the hills, and a great way off,
And the winds will blow my top-knot off.

Tom with his pipe made such a noise,
That he pleased both the girls and the boys;
And they all stopped to hear him play
" Over the hills and far away. "

Tom with his pipe did play with such skill
That those who heard him could never keep still;
As soon as he played they began for to dance,
Even pigs on their hind legs would after him prance.

As Dolly was milking her cow one day,
Tom took his pipe and began for to play;
So Doll and the cow danced " The Cheshire Round, "
Till the pail was broken and the milk ran on the ground.

He met Old Dame Trot with a basket of eggs,
He used his pipe and she used her legs;
She danced about till her eggs were all broke,
She began for to fret; but he laughed at the joke.

Tom saw a cross fellow was beating an ass,
Heavy laden with pots, pans, dishes and glass;
He took out his pipe and he played them a tune,
And the poor donkey's load was lightened full soon.