I passed an old man at the side of the road

Going to Appleby fair

He had dust of the road in his garments

He had grey in his beard and his hair

And I don't really know why I lingered

And I don't know why I drew near

But he smiled at me and he nodded

And he sang as he motioned me near

Help ye a brother

Do him no harm

Pay what you owe

Though money be no charm

Heed ye the good

Fear ye no harm

It's not like it was in the old days he said

Going to Appleby fair

There weren't these stone walls and fences

The roads and the meadows were clear

You owned your own soul as you traveled

And you set up your camp where you were

And sometimes I cry for you young ones

For it's seldom these days that you hear

Help ye a brother

Do him no harm

Pay what you owe

Though money be no charm

Heed ye the good

Fear ye no harm

I gave him a coin for his trouble, I gave him a loaf from my pack

I gave him a smile and a whisper as he hid both my gifts in his sack

He said "I've given all that I've given

But I've faith that I'll get it all back"

I left that old man at the side of the road

Going to Appleby fair

And I counted the stone walls and fences

And the signs warned do not trespass here

And my soul sometimes bids me to travel

Past the walls that are boundaries to fear

And it's many the words that are bade me

But it's seldom that ever I hear

Help ye a brother

Do him no harm

Pay what you owe

Though money be no charm

Heed ye the good

Fear ye no harm

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Moons and Muses