Is My Team Ploughing
“Is
my team ploughing,
That I was used to drive
And
hear the harness jingle
When I was man alive?”
Aye,
the horses trample 5
The harness jingles now;
No
change though you lie under
The land you used to plough.
“Is
football playing
Along the river shore, 10
With
lads to chase the leather,
Now I stand up no more?”
Aye,
the ball is flying,
The lads play heart and soul;
The
goal stands up, the keeper 15
Stands up to keep the
goal.
“Is
my girl happy,
That I thought hard to leave,
And
has she tired of weeping
As she lies down at eve?” 20
Aye,
she lies down lightly,
She lies not down to weep;
Your
girl is well contented.
Be still my lad, and sleep.
“Is
my friend hearty, 25
Now I am thin and pine;
And
has he found to sleep in
A better bed than mine?”
Yes
lad, I lie easy,
I lie as lads would choose; 30
I
cheer a dead man’s sweetheart,
Never ask me whose.
A.E. Houseman (1859 – 1936)