I DO mind when there broke bitter tidèns,

Woone day, on their ears, one

An’ their souls wer a-smote wi’ a stroke

As the lightnèn do vall on the woak, oak

An’ the things that wer bright all around em

Seem'd dim drough their tears. through

Then unheeded wer things in their vingers,

Their grief wer their all.

All unheeded wer zongs o’ the birds,

All unheeded the child's perty words,

All unheeded the kitten a-rollèn

The white-threaded ball.

Oh! vor their minds the daylight around em

Had nothèn to show.

Though it brighten'd their tears as they vell,

An’ did sheen on their lips that did tell, shine

In their vaïces all thrillèn an’ mwoansome, shuddering

O’ nothèn but woe.

But they vound that, by Heavenly mercy,

The news werden true; wasn't

An’ they shook, wi’ low laughter, as quick

As a drum when his blows do vall thick,

An’ wer eärnest in words o’ thanksgivèn,

Vor mercies anew.