I have travell'd by night and by day
Many miles (though I never would boast),
On a dark or a moonlighted way,
Without fear of a body or ghost;
I have gone, but I went for no ill,
For no errand in which I would hide me,
So why should I fear that a Will-
O' the Wisp should be sent to misguide me?
Fearless and free,
Cheery in wayfarings dreary.

If I went for my love's winsome smiles,
While 'twas her I would faithfully wed,
Why should fairy-folk try any wiles
For to baffle me back as I sped?
If for buying or selling I went,
It was ne'er to another man's ruing,
And why should a token be sent
For to warn me against evil doing?
Guiltless and gay,
Cheery in wayfarings dreary.

Ne'er a widow by me has lost bread,
Or a robe from her child's lily skin,
And for what should the soul of the dead
Come to chide me for wrong to his kin?
And the money I carry in cash
Would be found by a robber so trifling,
That few at the risk of the lash
And the fetters would find me worth rifling.
Guiltless and gay,
Cheery in wayfarings dreary.