Sheltered in a valley with hills that tower round,
a little town called Hay-on-Wye, its beauty is renowned.
The partly ruined castle on elevated ground,
Richard Booth is the owner, he's known the world around.

With Richard, Morelli and others, the town is full of books,
in every hole and corner, there's books and still more books.
In May, the "Literary Festival " of nationwide acclaim,
with writers, orators and linguists, mostly from the hall of fame.

They read their books and poetry for interested folks to hear,
the pianists and instrumentalists are a joy to the ear,
Classical, country and western, jazz, rhythm and blues,
Scientists, Psychiatrists, Broadcasters reading the news.

Hotels, Inns and B&Bs, places where you can stay,
you sure will get a welcome when you set foot in Hay.
Thursday is the market day with stalls that line the streets,
souvenirs and gift shops, and quality antiques.

Towards St Mary's Church yard, within a little dell,
nestled in among the rocks, you'll find the 'Swans Well'.
Please walk down the 'Warren' to the famous 'River Wye',
where anglers fish and children swim, neath the summer sky.

Take a walk round 'Cusop' for delightful nooks and dells,
a lovelier spot is hard to find and the waterfalls they're swell.
Onwards flows the "Dulas", a vivacious little brook,
sparkling cascades, shimmering pools compel a generous look.

Orchards thick with fruit trees, fields of waving corn,
Black Mountains in the distance, majestic, yet forlorn.
With Hay's historical places and beautiful scenery round,
a prettier, more attractive place I'm sure cannot be found.

By Phyllis Morgan from Hay-on-Wye