The Girl From The Hiring Fair
Ralph McTell Lyrics

I went down to the hiring fair for to sell my labour,
I went to the hiring fair to find work and earn a living.

And I noticed a maid in the very next row and I hoped she'd be my neighbour.
I saw a girl beside me and hoped we could live close by.

Imagine then my delight when the farmer picked us both.
I was happy when the farmer chose both of us to work for him.

I spoke not a word in the cart to the farm, but my heart beat in my throat.
I was nervous and didn't speak while riding to the farm.

My lodging was dry and my master fair and I gave him full measure,
My accommodation was good and my boss treated me well, so I worked hard.

But my envy grew like the corn in the field for in his house was my treasure,
I envied my boss for having the girl I liked in his house as a servant.

And I'd watch her carry water, or drive cows from the byre,
I enjoyed watching her do chores like carrying water and tending to the cows.

And the heat from the sun made the corn grow strong and with it my desire.
As the corn grew, so did my attraction to the girl under the sun's heat.

Well I'd see her in my dreaming and in my dreams caress
I daydreamed about holding and caressing her in my sleep.

Her eyes, her lips and her dark brown hair, the curves beneath her dress.
I admired her eyes, lips, brown hair, and curves under her dress.

But harvest time it came at last, so heavy was the task
Harvest time brought a lot of work to be done.

That the women and the men worked side by side and I had her near at last,
Men and women worked together, and I was happy to work close to her.

And I swung harder with my scythe, few words between us passed,
I worked harder with my tool, and we didn't say much to each other.

And I cursed my tongue-tied youthfulness and I hoped that she'd hear my heart.
I regretted being shy and wished she could read my feelings for her.

When all was safely gathered in and we sat down to rest
After the harvest was complete, we took a break.

My trembling fingers touched her arm, and she placed them on her breast.
I touched her arm, and she placed my hand on her chest.

And then she turned to me as the sun went down and all my senses reeled,
She turned to me as the sun set, and I was overwhelmed with emotions.

As we lay there on the scented ground and the moon rose over the field.
We lay down on the fragrant grass, and the moon lit up the field.

She was safely gathered in my arms when from the barn
I held her safely in my arms when we heard music from the barn.

Drifted the sound of a violin and we hurried back to the farm,
We heard a violin playing and hurried back to the farm.

And all were dancing in the lantern light and music filled the air,
Everyone was dancing under the lanterns, and music played.

And I thanked my stars for the harvest moon and the girl from the hiring fair.
I was grateful for the harvest moon and the girl I met at the hiring fair.

Oh all were dancing in the lantern light and music filled the air,
Everyone continued to dance under the lanterns and music played.

And I thanked my stars for the harvest moon and the girl from the hiring fair.
I remained grateful for the harvest moon and the girl I met at the hiring fair.