“I heard an Angel singing”

I heard an Angel singing
When the day was springing
Mercy Pity Peace
Is the worlds 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 pourd the heavy rain
Over the new reapd grain
And Miseries increase
Is Mercy Pity Peace