1 br He listened at the porch that day, br To hear the wheel go on, and on; br And then it stopped, ran back away, br While through the door he brought the sun: br But now my spinning is all done. br br 2 br He sat beside me, with an oath br That love ne'er ended, once begun; br I smiled--believing for us both, br What was the truth for only one: br And now my spinning is all done. br br 3 br My mother cursed me that I heard br A young man's wooing as I spun: br Thanks, cruel mother, for that word-- br For I have, since, a harder known! br And now my spinning is all done. br br 4 br I thought--O God!--my first-born's cry br Both voices to mine ear would drown: br I listened in mine agony-- br It was the silence made me groan! br And now my spinning is all done. br br 5 br Bury me 'twixt my mother's grave, br (Who cursed me on her death-bed lone) br And my dead baby's (God it save!) br Who, not to bless me, would not moan. br And now my spinning is all done. br br 6 br A stone upon my heart and head, br But no name written on the stone! br Sweet neighbours, whisper low instead, br "This sinner was a loving one-- br And now her spinning is all done." br br 7 br And let the door ajar remain, br In case he should pass by anon; br And leave the wheel out very plain,-- br That HE, when passing in the sun, br May see the spinning is all done.