Blow, Ye Winds, Blow

By Anonymous

17th Century


Child Ballad 2

(He)
You must make me a fine Holland shirt,
Blow, blow, blow, ye winds, blow,
And not have in it a stitch of needlework,
Blow, ye winds that arise, blow, blow.
(He)
You must wash it in yonder spring,
Blow, blow, blow, ye winds, blow,
Where there's never a drop of water in,
Blow, ye winds that arise, blow, blow.
(He)
You must dry it on yonder thorn,
Blow, blow, blow, ye winds, blow,
Where the sun never yet shone on
Blow, ye winds that arise, blow, blow.
(She)
My father's got an acre of land,
Blow, blow, blow, ye winds, blow,
You must dig it with a goose quill,
Blow, ye winds that arise, blow, blow.
(She)
You must sow it with one seed,
Blow, blow, blow, ye winds, blow,
You must reap it with your thumbnail,
Blow, ye winds that arise, blow, blow.
(She)
You must thrash it on yonder sea,
Blow, blow, blow, ye winds, blow,
And not get it wet or let a kernel be,
Blow, ye winds that arise, blow, blow.
(She)
You must grind it on yonder hill,
Blow, blow, blow, ye winds, blow,
Where there yet has ne'er stood a mill,
Blow, ye winds that arise, blow, blow.
(She)
When you're done and finished your work,
Blow, blow, blow, ye winds, blow,
Bring it unto me and you shall have your shirt,
Blow, ye winds that arise, blow, blow.

DayPoems Poem No. 2498
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/2498.html">Blow, Ye Winds, Blow by Anonymous</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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