The Farrier

I was a farrier's boy and kept the fires burning
From the time I left my home, the trade I was a-learning
The fires glow, so hot below
I kept the bellows turning
And it was my task, in the noise and dark
To keep the farrier working

Hands of iron and arms of steel
Boots of heavy brown leather.
The farrier shoes, the heaviest horse
Fit for every weather

At first I made the shoes, for dray-horse and for vanner
In time fine shoes I made, for horses of the manor
A bar of steel ta'en from the fire
And on the anvil pounded
I turned into, a finer shoe
Than ever would be founded

Chorus

I hold the horses firm and let them know who's master
The more they quietly stand, the more I can work faster
With nippers I remove old shoes
And cut the foot back ready
Oh I know the smell when a shoe fits well
And burns itself a bedding

Chorus

The lasses they come round to watch the sparks a-flying
So gently they enquire while the farrier's boy they're eyeing
I tells em all to stand aside
And hits the anvil heavy
Oh it's plain to see there'll pleasure be
For the farrier's boy that's ready

Chorus