The Fairy Piper

eary is the way, and I’m a weary man tonight-
Ah, the fairy pipers that awoke me long ago,
When the mists began to shiver at the coming of the light,
And the wind was in the heather, soft and low!

The grey hills flushed to purple, and the east was like a rose;
They called me to the long road with piping shrill and clear;
Rest and rust and dull content, the mortal never knows
Who may once the fairy pipers chance to hear.

Over hill and valley, he must follow till he fall;
Jeweled gossamers at dawn that shine about his feet,
Love, and wealth, and honor_he must break and leave them all
When the fairy music calls him, shrill and sweet.

Weary is the way, and I’m a weary man tonight-
Ah, the fairy pipers that awoke me long ago,
Still they’re calling as they called me when my heart and foot were light,
And the wind was in the heather, soft and low.

– Robertson