THE BALLAD OF BIDDY EARLY

"I've an empty stomach, you've an empty purse.
You feel your fingers freezing? Outside it's ten times worse,
So listen to my story. Forget the wind and rain.
It's time for bed," the tinker said, "but pass the cup again.

"I sing of Biddy Early, the wise woman of Clare.
Many's the man admires her carrot-colored hair,
And many those that come to her on horseback or by cart,
For she can heal a broken leg or a broken heart.

"She keeps a magic bottle in whose majestic eye
A tiny coffin twinkles and if it sinks, you die.
It rises, you grow better and slip out of pain.
It's time for bed," the tinker said, "but pass the cup again.

"She covers the great bottle and runs to fetch the small,
Filled with a bright elixir, honey and sage and gall.
She'll take no gold or silver but maybe a speckled hen.
It's time for bed," the tinker said. "Let's pass the cup again.

"Follow the stream," she told me. "Go where the salmon goes.
Avoid mischievous bridges for even water knows
If you should drop this bottle-" He turned and spoke no more.
Biddy Early's shadow was listening at the door.


From here: http://www.srlab.net/biddy/home.html.