The Scissor-Grinder

The scissor-man tramped into town. Ding-a-dong!

ding-a-dong!

He set his little grindstone down, and to its music hummed

a song.

Carlyle McIntyre

Old Grandma Dumpkins' scissor-shears, he edged their

blades so finely

That she cut off her children's ears and made them sing

divinely.

And Gaffer Smither's pruning-hook he whetted to such

keenness

That Gaffer trimmed the town, and took the shade away

for meanness.

But furthermore, the butcher's knife he rounded off so

dully,

That cattle now enjoy their life and fill the milkpails fully.

Then-ding-a-dong! ding-a-dong! I saw his red hat top

the hill;

But all night long I heard his song played by his brother

watermill.