Money or Jewels

The sun was high as they wandered down to the fair,
the village was gathering by,
the girls over one side waiting for young men to dance,
waiting for someone to try.
When he asked her to dance as the music began
with his hands at her waist,
he held her and span by the lights on the trees in the square.
To music that no one else heard.
She whispered to him,
'It feels like I’m dancing on air, and I float with the grace of a bird'.
Well she remembers that glorious day,
when he leant in close to gently say,
I can’t offer you money or jewels,
I can’t house you in mansion or hall.
I have nothing, nothing to give you
except my love.
They walked out for a year and wed at the turning of spring,
with May blossom crowning the trees.
The boredom took hold as she waited for life to begin,
he left her to do as she pleased.
But behind closed doors as she lay on her bed,
he leant in close and gently said,
I can’t offer you money or jewels,
I can’t house you in mansion or hall.
I have nothing, nothing to give you
except my love.
So he stole from family and friends, he stole from the church,
though he always intended to pay what was owed.
After pleasing his wife, nothing he did was ever enough.
Then they came to the door to take him away,
He leant in close, to gently say,
I have given you money and jewels,
I have provided with all you desire,
you have taken all I could give you
except my love.