The Wizard of Alderley Edge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rayanjlKyp4

As a farmer walked to a market fair
By his side a most beautiful mare
White as snow, superior than many
He hoped to fetch a pretty penny
Then by the cliffs and bracken hedge
As he passed by Alderley Edge
There came a man, old and mature
Of a noble sort of stature
As if from the very cliff ledge
Was this the Wizard of Alderley Edge?

Pray farmer, how much is your mare?
Asked the man with the silvery hair
He thought about it once or twice
But took her to the market for a better price
Admired she was by all and many
But not one offer of a single penny
Then on the way back past Alderley Edge
As if stepping out from the very cliff ledge
Through the bracken and the hedge
Came the Wizard of Alderley Edge

Pray farmer, wilt thou sell thy mare?
Asked the man with the silvery hair
“Aye I shall” the farmer replied
“For she is beautiful and fit to ride”
The Wizard beckoned “come with me”
And he followed what wonders to see
He led the farmer to the cliff side
The rocks rumbled and opened wide
Then through the caverns over the cliff ledge
He followed the Wizard of Alderley Edge

Ten thousand warriors lay in sleep
As if a secret for to keep
Inside the stupendous high cliff tower
And beside each one grew a single white flower
The Wizard told the farmer a tale
Of times when they rode hill and dale
And now when England is dark in plight
These warriors shall rise again and fight
He continued to follow the mighty sage
He followed the Wizard of Alderley Edge

The Wizard with his staff did wave,
To show the farmer a hollow cave
Inside treasures of wonder there
“Here now take payment for your mare”
The farmer took what he could hold
Treasure of silver and of gold
Then he passed by on his way
Past where those warrior Knights did lay
Over the boundaries of the cliff ledge
Led by the Wizard of Alderley Edge

Through the exit as they passed
“Are you Merlin?” the farmer asked
The Wizard smiled and said with glee
“Tis not many who guess of me”
And he led the farmer to the bracken hedge
Outside in the country at Alderley edge
He bid farewell and vanished there
Gone was the man with the silvery hair
Back to the cliff and over the ledge
And gone was the Wizard of Alderley Edge

And beside a well is carved bearded face
Of the Wizard and these words do grace
"Drink of this and take thy fill
For the water runs by the Wizards will"