The Fairy Folk

Come cuddle close in daddy's coat

Beside the fire so bright,

And hear about the fairy folk

That wander in the night.

For when the stars are shining clear

And all the world is still,

They float across the silver moon

From hill to cloudy hill.

Their caps of red, their cloaks of green,

Are hung with silver bells,

And when they're shaken with the wind

Their merry ringing swells.

And riding on the crimson moth,

With black spots on his wings,

They guide them down the purple sky

With golden bridle rings.

They love to visit girls and boys

To see how sweet they sleep,

To stand beside their cosy cots

And at their faces peep.

For in the whole of fairy land

They have no finer sight

Than little children sleeping sound

With faces rosy bright.

On tip-toe crowding round their heads,

When bright the moonlight beams,

They whisper little tender words

That fill their minds with dreams;

And when they see a sunny smile,

With lightest finger tips

They lay a hundred kisses sweet

Upon the ruddy lips.

And then the little spotted moths

Spread out their crimson wings,

And bear away the fairy crowd

With shaking bridle rings.

Come bairnies, hide in daddy's coat,

Beside the fire so bright—

Perhaps the little fairy folk

Will visit you to-night.