A careless shepherd once would keep
The flocks by moonlight there
And high amongst the glimmering sheep
The dead man stood on air

They hang us now in Shrewsbury jail
The whistles blow forlorn
And trains all night groan on the rail
To men that die at morn

And naked to the hangman's noose
The morning clocks will ring
A neck God made for other use
Than strangling in a string

And sharp the link of life will snap
And dead on air will stand
Heels that held up as straight a chap
As treads upon the land