Mossy Coat

How do you like my new mossycoat, made with my mother's own hands

Knitted with night songs from her through, stitched with silver strands

She said, the world is wide, love, be careful what you wish for

For when you wear your new mossy coat, all your fancies will fly to the door

And how do you like my new silk dress, colour of birds in the air

I love to see the passers-by turn their heads, and stare

She said, watch for the magpies, love, with a fleck of gold in their eyes

They'll flock, and they'll flatter, they'll charm, and they'll chatter

Then vanish to the skies

And how do you like my velvet coat, with its golden filigree?

What use have I for a mossy old coat, now I wear such finery?

She said, sure you look fancy, love, but don't cast your old coat away

For gold may glitter in the sun, but moss glows in the shade

But I cast off my mossy old coat, and I throw it to the floor

And in a flash my finery fades, I'm back at my mother's front door

She said, the world is wide, love, the glamour addled your head

Come sit for a while, I'll show you how to use a needle and thread