Thomas Hood: Collected Lyrics
06 / 13
Public-domain lyrics

Ruth

Thomas Hood

“Ruth” as printed in The Poetical Works of Thomas Hood (1873).

Thomas Hood: Collected Lyrics Text 6 1873 · historical text
Public domainSong lyricsVictorian
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Poetical Works of Thomas Hood, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

She stood breast-high amid the corn,

Clasped by the golden light of morn,

Like the sweetheart of the sun,

Who many a glowing kiss had won.

Verse 2

On her check an autumn flush,

Deeply ripened;—such a blush

In the midst of brown was born,

Like red poppies grown with corn.

Verse 3

Round her eyes her tresses fell;

Which were blackest none could tell,

But long lashes veiled a light

That had else been all too bright.

Verse 4

And her hat, with shady brim,

Made her tressy forehead dim;—

Thus she stood amid the stooks,

Praising God with sweetest looks:—

Verse 5

Sure, I said, Heaven did not mean

Where I reap thou shouldst but glean

Lay thy sheaf adown and come,

Share my harvest and my home.

Credits

Written by Thomas Hood

Words by Thomas Hood. Historical text published in The Poetical Works of Thomas Hood (1873); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Poetical Works of Thomas Hood (1873), “Ruth”

Every text in this 1873 collected edition is by Thomas Hood (1799-1845), who died more than 180 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-27. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
Keep tracing

More from Thomas Hood: Collected Lyrics.

01A Table of ErrataPublic-domain lyrics02Ballad (Sigh on, sad heart, for Love's eclipse)Public-domain lyrics03Faithless Sally BrownPublic-domain lyrics04No!Public-domain lyrics