JUST as we spin, of old 't is said Queen Bertha used to twine the thread, -- I spin. And with our wheels and merry song Winter's dark hours flow blithely on. We spin, my girl and I. When my neighbor comes at night With her niece around the light, -- I spin. Round the blazing fire we gather, And we sing and spin together. We spin, my girl and I. While I twist the whistling thread The daily task is quickly said, -- I spin. And then my little happy boy Frisks round my wheel in careless joy. We spin, my girl and I. We may gossip as we spin, But to backbite is a sin, -- I spin. They who slander soon shall find Coarse and rough the thread they wind. We spin, my girl and I. Twist it neither slack nor tight, Keep between and 't will be right, -- I spin. Girls who think of lovers go Always over fast or slow. We spin, my girl and I. Oil your wheel, that turning round It may make no creaking sound, -- I spin. Oil of patience is the oil! Sweetener that of every toil! We spin, my girl and I. Maid whose wheel turns gratingly Day and night shall lonely be, -- I spin. Of her temper 't is a proof Frightened love will keep aloof. We spin, my girl and I. Spin, spin from morn till night, Maidens, do your task aright, -- I spin. And in time some lover true Shall twine a thread of love for you! We spin, my girl and I. Spin, girls, then spin ever, Spin long, spin well together, -- I spin. Gently go, and steadily too, You for us and we for you. We spin, my girl and I. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THIS LIME-TREE BOWER MY PRISON by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE ROAST BEEF OF OLD ENGLAND by HENRY FIELDING ON PASSING THE NEW MENIN GATE by SIEGFRIED SASSOON AMORETTI: 70 by EDMUND SPENSER THE PRINCESS: LULLABY by ALFRED TENNYSON EARTH TRIUMPHANT by CONRAD AIKEN |