It fell about the edge of dark, br Between the sun and moon, br The yeoman's son came home again br With the mire upon his shoon - br br With the red clay upon his shoon br From a furrowed field afar - br The sour and bitter clod that breaks br Beneath the share of war. br br 'Oh, kiss me once on the brows, mother, br And hold me to your breast; br For the long day's work is over and done, br And I go glad to rest.' br br 'And oh, good-bye, my father's house, br Good-bye to field and hill, br For I'll lie down in the red furrow br To sleep, and sleep my fill.' br br 'I shall not rouse at the cock-crow, br I shall not wake with the sun; br I shall sleep the sleep of a strong man tired br When his day's work is done.' br br 'Ay, deep I'll sleep in the red furrow, br Out over the Channel foam . . .