Where the pools are bright and deep, Where the grey trout lies asleep,Up the river and over the sea, That"s the way for Billy and me.
Where the blackbird sings the latest, Where the hawthorn blooms the sweetest, Where the nestlings chirp and flee,That"s the way for Billy and me.
Where the mowers mow the cleanest, Where the hay lies thick and greenest, There to track the homeward bee, That"s the way for Billy and me.
Where the hazel bank is steepest, Where the shadow falls the deepest, Where the clustering nuts fall free, That"s the way for Billy and me.
Why the boys should drive away Little sweet maidens from the play,Or love to banter and fight so well, That"s the thing I never could tell.
But this I know, I love to play Through the meadow, above the hay; Up the water and over the lea,That"s the way for Billy and me.
--James Hogg
Author.-James Hogg (1770-1835) was a Scottish poet, who in his youthful days herded cattle and sheep. He is known as the Ettrick Shepherd.
General Notes.-What do boys like to do? Let each stanza answer-fishing,bird-nesting, bee-tracking, nutting, fighting. The last stanza sums it all up. Tell about some other things you like to do.