1. There once was a blacksmith, so the legend did say
Loved a poor toffee-maker for many a day
But he kept his own council, being timid and shy
Spent his passion with his hammer, as he watched the sparks fly
2.The poor toffee-maker sat alone in her room
Longing for babies to grow in her womb
And a husband to bring to her joy and delight
And sweet moments of passion in the quiet of night
3.Now, one day the spinster did in the church tarry
Prayed to God for to send her a man for to marry
She was far from the ears of all those who would mock
But the blacksmith in the tower stood a-mending the clock
4. Now the cries of the spinster did echo so clear
That the blacksmith in the belfry could not fail to hear
Then he answered in a voice like the Lord’s thunderous roar
“I could send you a blacksmith, if you’d not think him poor!”
5. Well, the spinster gave thanks to the Father and the Son
For many a poor man’s better than none
And, meanwhile, the blacksmith crept home from the clocks
And dressed in his suit and a clean pair of socks
6. Returning to the church, and thus dressed in great style
He met up with the spinster, who looked up with a smile
And without more ado, he proposed there and then
And the spinster sais “Yes!” and gave thanks once again
7. They were married with speed, and moved in at the forge
Where the wife made fine toffee, which the blacksmith did gorge
And they shared sport and passion, when the day’s work was done
And she brought him three daughters and three strapping sons!
© Dave Pierce, 1974 and 2020.