I heard an Angel singing



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I heard an Angel singing When the day was springing, ‘Mercy, Pity, Peace, Is the world’s release.’

Thus he sung all day Over the new mown hay, Till the sun went down And haycocks looked brown.

I heard a Devil curse Over the heath & the furze, ‘Mercy could be no more if there was nobody poor;

‘And pity no more could be If all were as happy as we.’ At his curse the sun went down, And the heavens gave a frown.

Down pour’d the heavy rain Over the new-reap’d grain; And Miserie’s increase Is Mercy, Pity, Peace.