Over the Hills and Far Away

Tom he was a piper's son, He learnt to play when he was young; But all the tunes that he could play Was "Over the hills and far away." Over the hills and a great way off, The wind shall blow my top-knot off.

It was said that Tom was the son of a Scottish bagpiper. He made himself a chanter (pipe) from reeds and taught himself to play. He was given the job of watching the townspeople’s sheep. To while away the hours, Tom would play the same tune over and over. It was rumored that dryads (the wood nymphs) would come out and dance while Tom played, but as soon as the music stopped they would disappear. The people from the town tried to sneak a peek at the dryads while Tom was playing, but they would not appear.

Midi: Over the Hills and Far Away

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