December Snow

THE cold, cold snow! the snow that lies so white!
The moon and stars are hidden, there is neither warmth nor light —
I wonder, wife — I wonder, wife — where
Jeanie lies this night?

II.

'Tis cold, cold, cold, since Jeanie went away,
The world has changed, I sit and wait, and listen night and day,
The house is silent, silent, and my hair has grown so gray —
'Tis cold, cold, cold, wife, since Jeanie went away.
And tick! tick! tick! the clock goes evermore,
It chills me, wife — it seems to keep our bairn beyond the door;
I watch the firelight shadows as they float upon the floor,
And tick! tick! tick! wife, the clock goes evermore!

IV.

'Tis cold, cold, cold! — 'twere better she were dead,
Not that I heed the Minister, and the bitter things he said, —
But to think my lassie cannot find a place to lay her head —
'Tis cold, cold, cold, wife — better she were dead!

V.

The cold, cold snow! the snow that lies so white!
Beneath the snow her little one is hidden out of sight,
But up above, the wind blows keen, there's neither warmth nor light,
I wonder, wife — I wonder, wife — where
Jeanie lies this night!

(1866-70.)

Greift nur hinein in's voile Menschenleben!