Spring on the Mountain

by elsie gawler

for the birds they are returning oh they carry on their wings

the scent of something warmer they bring remembering

let go, let go, let go of your ice and snow

let it run down this mountain cleansing the ground below

for the seeds they are a’waiting when touched by sun and rain

when this mountain lets go they embrace and sprout again

one morning, one morning the sun spoke up

and she whispered in our ears tales of warmer days

and through the haizeness i heard her call

and in the dusky morning light oh the hermit thrush sings bright

so it’s time to go, run and sleep no more

greet all that is living rejoice and sing in the spring

as i wandered ore the mountain ‘neath a little mound of clay

i will rest this weary body ‘neath the roots i will stay

for the cold it is a’coming oh the birds they told me so

i will sleep and i will dream beneath these fallen leaves

for all it is quiet, it is tranquil, it is calm

rest now my pretty mountain rest deep and rest long

we will sleep until the morning oh the hermit thrush sings her song

until the woodcock takes flight and sounds his spring alarm

then one morning, one morning the sun spoke up

and she whispered in our ears tales of warmer days

and through the haizeness i heard her call

ohh and in the dusky morning light oh the hermit thrush sings bright

so i raise my head to greet her and open these sleepy eyes

breathe in the sweetest air breathe in this breath of life