Shepherd Anaïs Mitchell

[Verse 1]
Said the shepherd to his wife:
"The crop of hay is cut and dried
I'll bale it up and bring it in
Before the coming storm begins"
"Go", she said, "And beat the storm
And then there is another chore
Today the baby will be born
You'll take me to the hospital"
Said the shepherd, "If it's true
'T'were better if I stayed with you
I'd rather let the harvest go
And hasten to the hospital"
"Nay," she told him, "I'll be fine
We both have laboring to do
You do yours and I'll do mine
And the babe will wait 'til the work is through"

[Verse 2]
The shepherd rode the yellow rows
The clouds above and the field below
Until the bales had all been tied
Then homeward turned to find his wife
The sweat was wet upon her brow
Her breath it cameth laboredly
And then the rain was coming down
Upon the field of yellow hay
Said the shepherd, "It's no use
The rain will surely win the race
'Twere better if we let it fall
And hurry to the hospital"
"Go," she said, "And work with haste
And bring the bales into the barn
Else the crop will go to waste
And the babe will wait 'til the work is done"