Book of Song

Sheep Are 'Neath the Snow, The

by trad

After a winter of snowfall
and a springtime of frost
The young lambs were living
but the old sheep were lost

( Chorus
O rise you my shepherds,
a- way to the hill
The old sheep are dying
and the snow's fall- ing still. )

The master of Raby Lay sick on his bed
With the cry of lost ewes and a fire in his head

Said the master of Raby, "I am sick and alone
My sheep cry for succor; My men yield them none."

Chorus


I have sheep in the Laggan. I have goats at Clieau Rea
At the cliffs of Coan-y-Christey my ewes go astray

Then out went the shepherds in darkness and dread
And high on the mountain they found the sheep dead

The whole flock lay smothered in a drift on the hill
And over their bodies the snow gathered still

Chorus


Said the master of Raby, my sheep cry in vain
And while I lay helpless none heeded my pain

And so they all perished for want of your skill
And over their bodies The snow gathered still

Chorus