Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BALLAD OF JENNY THE MARE, by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BALLAD OF JENNY THE MARE, by                    
First Line: "I'll sing you a song, and a merry, merry song"
Last Line: When the rest could hardly trot
Subject(s): Animals;horses


I

I'LL sing you a song, and a merry, merry song,
Concerning our Yorkshire Jen;
Who never yet ran with horse or mare,
That ever she cared for a pin.

II

When first she came to Newmarket town
The sportsmen all view'd her around;
All the cry was, "Alas, poor wench,
Thou never can run this ground!"

III

When they came to the starting-post,
The Mare look'd very smart;
And let them all say what they will,
She never lost her start.

IV

When they got to the two-mile post,
Poor Jenny was cast behind:
She was cast behind, she was cast behind,
All for to take her wind.

V

When they got to the three-mile post,
The Mare look'd very pale—
SHE LAID DOWN HER EARS ON HER BONNY NECK,
AND BY THEM ALL DID SHE SAIL;

VI

"Come follow me, come follow me,
All you that run so neat;
And ere that you catch me again,
I'll make you all to sweat."

VII

When she got to the winning-post,
The people all gave a shout;
And Jenny click'd up her lily-white foot,
And jumped like any buck.

VIII

The Jockey said to her, "This race you have run,
This race for me you have got;
You could gallop it all over again,
When the rest could hardly trot!"





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