I'd been into town for to see me old mate
And was hurrying home, 'cause the hour was late
The road was so dark I could not see me hands
And found meself in unfamiliar lands.

When I'd left the town I'd looked up at the sky
And seen the old moon sailing yellow and high
But now when I looked, I near fell in a swoon
For this strange land was bathed with a slender new moon.

I wandered for miles but no road could I find
And I fell in some nettles that stung me behind
And then I got tangled in brambles and briar
Then to top it all off, lost me boots in a mire.

Twas then that I heard an enchanting sound
Of pipes and a harp and feet drumming the ground
So I crept a bit closer to see what I'd find
And saw there a gathering of fairy-kind.

There's some that say fairies are high as your knee
But these folks stood quite a bit taller than me
Their clothes all bright colours, their hair swept the floor
And I'd never seen anything like it before.

To look on them clearer, I climbed up a tree
And crawled down a branch on me hands and me knees
Well, it might have took half, but it wouldn't hold all -
So I fell out the tree and right into the ball.

Well I don't right know which of us looked more alarmed
But they all seemed concerned that I might have been harmed
So two helped me up and three dusted me down
And they swapped my torn clothes for a fine fairy gown.

So then we all laughed just like we was old friends
And we danced and we sang and the night had no end
I shared scented wine with a sweet fairy girl
And she gave me her bracelet of silver and pearl.

At last my friends told me twas time to be gone
For they must be home, with the dawn coming on
They gave me in parting, a fine fairy steed
And a large piece of cake and a bottle of mead.

My heart it was heavy as I rode away
Into the bright gold of the new-dawning day
But as the sun hit me I gave a great cry
For all of my fairy gifts faded away.

That tale, Me Lud, is no word of a lie
And you'll know it for truth if you look in me eye
Though I see how the constable thought it a joke
With me stark bollock naked and riding a goat.

So come all you fellows, pay heed to me tale
And don't stagger home with your skin full of ale
Beware of them fairies, their glitter and shine
For your world turns to dust when they leave you behind.

And yet - now come close lads, for I'm not quite yet done
For after the coppers had let me go home
I remembered the gift of that sweet fairy girl,
That delicate bracelet of silver and pearl.

So I've still got the bracelet and still got the goat
Which almost makes up for the trousers and coat
But though I've been back up the moor now and then
I've never had sight of the fairies again.