"The Penrith Peril"
or
"Song of The Green Capp'd Ghostie"
Down Penrith way
And o'er the fells,
They all do say,
"Pay you heed to
The Green Capp'd Ghostie !"
For if there be peril on your path,
Be it beck or wall o' stone,
He'll be there to warn Ye well -
He will! Aye,
The Green Capp'd Ghostie!
With hair of wavy brown
He be seen by pele tower
And in town,
Seeking a knight, whose vows,
Like stone and mutton,
Be hard to swallow.
Aye, The Green Capp'd Ghostie!
Down to Kendal and up Blencathra way,
Through Kirkstone on to shire
Went knight, beggar, yeoman, and squire.
By wagon wander'd sheep and tatter'd players sore,
Calling out "King Richard" and "Roister Doister" of yore.
And all them said,
Be they living
Or be they dead,
"Pay you heed to
The Green Capp'd Ghostie !"
Through Worcester, Stratford, and high London town,
In hollow coffin and on galloping horse,
Say they then,
And say they now,
"Since the reign
Of Good Queen Bess,
He was bravest and the best!"
Aye, The Green Capp'd Ghostie!
J.P.K.
