[D]Over Pipers Stock Hill, take the time for to wander
A[G]cross the main bridge to the [A]north side and yonder,
And
[D]if you look long to the west, there's a chance
That you'll[G] see her move down to the[A] bridge for the dance,
And
she[Bm] still hears the music of an[Em]vil and saw,
And she [G]still looks to nature to [A]lay out the law.
[D]She's a West Country lady from back in the past,
And she [G]faces the ocean where [A]noisy waves blast
On the[D]
rocks; and the wind blows a gale from all quarters
Or [G]summer sun sparkles on [A]still waters down in the [D]bay.
She was there when they came on the very first ship,
And she saw how the admirals ruled with a whip,
And she worked
with her man and her young sons and daughters,
To harvest the fields and the woods and the waters,
And often with sadness
she's looked to the sea,
With a longing for times that were never to be.
Since the sea was the way between island and nation,
And old ways were new ways in this planter's station,
She's
watched all the changes with pride and some sorrow.
Some old ways remain and she hopes that tomorrow
Will kindly tend
to the bountiful sea,
And her land and her people will always be free.