I love "The Scarecrow" by Lal Waterson, but I find the lyrics to be quite enigmatic. (I'm American, so I don't understand some of the references.) Who is the speaker and why would she say "Ah, but you'd lay me down and love me, if you could" to a scarecrow, etc.?

Also what kind of celebration does the last verse refer to (who are "dons"):

As I rode out one fine spring day,
I saw twelve jolly dons dressed out in the blue and the gold so gay.
And to a stake they tied a child new born,
And the songs were sung, the bells was rung, and they sowed their corn.

Thanks!