The Holy Well Jean Ritchie

As it fell out one May morning
And upon bright holiday
Sweet Jesus asked of his dear mother
If he might go and play

"To play, to play, sweet Jesus shall go
And to play now get you gone
And let me hear of no complaint
At night when you come home."

Sweet Jesus went down to yonder town
As far as the Holy Well
And there did see as fine children
As any tongue can tell

He said, "God bless you every one
And your bodies Christ save and see
And now little children, I'll play with you
And you shall play with me."

But they made answer to him "No
Thou art meaner than us all
Thou art but a simple fair maid's child
Born in an ox's stall

Sweet Jesus turned him round about
Nor laughed nor smiled nor spoke
But the tears came trickling from his eyes
Like waters from the rock