There once was a man called John McCay,
Who ghosted our dear little Caliegh away-
We searched through the fields with growing dread,
And there in the orchard, we found her dead.

We hung him that night from an apple bough,
And cast his ashes before the plow.
Our Caliegh we buried in quiet state,
Cursing the man who brought her to her fate.

And while the wind sighed over her grave
They prayed for the lord her soul to save-
But deep in the field, neath furrowed loam
Something stirred in the ash and bone.

         -    -   -

Little child, little child, come hear an old man
Who's tired to the bone.
Give him a little company, child
Before you run on home.

I'll tell you tales in the dusking dark,
To lift the autumn chill-
But only a short one tonight, sweet boy.
I can't let you take ill.

Have you heard the tale of the Elfin Knight,
Who rode the misty fells?
Or the tale of the Draiglin' Hogney?
My child, I've much to tell.

Come hear of Norroway's fierce Black Bull,
The Fairy Boy of Leith,
The Wee Oaten Bannock who ran for his life
From awful gnashing teeth.

I'll spin the saga of Fin Maccoul-
The Dwarfie Stone of Hoy-
Assipattle and the Mester Stoorworm-
You've much to learn, my boy.

Of Rashin-Coatie and Faerie Doors-
The Midwife, hired by elves-
The Fox Outwitted by pious goose-
The fairy folk themselves.

I'll tell you the story worst of all-
The tale of John McCay.
I'll tell that story last, my child,
Upon the thirteenth day.

Come lonely or laughing, my angel boy,
Friendless, sad, or bored,
To comfort an old man in his exile-
And reap you your reward.

         -    -   -

He went in the dark of a midwinter night,
With nary a thought of dread or fright.
He sat in the orchard for hour on hour
In the skeletal limbs of his orchard bower

On the knee of his friend, the gaunt old man,
Who spoke as only a master can.
His voice was deep, midst the naked trees,
As the roots of his beard writhed in the breeze.

The apples bobbed in his hair as he smiled-
"And now, my darling dearest child,
"I'll tell you the tale of John McCay
"Who spirited Caliegh O'Connor Away."