Oh, fer dumb. I looked at Ed Trickett's People Like You CD three times and missed that song. "Cold Winter Is Coming" wasn't a strong enough clue to tip me off. I guess I should have listened all those times that Dick Greenhaus told me that song titles can be deceptive.
Thanks for pointing this out, Sandy. Ed's recording of the song is wonderful. Where'd he get this version from?
-Joe Offer-

Cold Winter Is Coming

Cold winter is coming, there's frost in the air,
The beautiful summer is past.
The flowers are all dying that once were so fair,
Their fragance is gone with the past. (?)
Oh, the tops of the mountains are covered with snow,
The north wind blows under your door;
And if you are able to pay what you owe,
It's time to remember the poor.

Cold winter is coming, his footsteps are near,
He will spread desolation around;
And make the earth dreary and frosty and sere,
And scatter the snow o'er the ground.
Oh, the leaves have turned yellow and fallen from trees,
The beautiful harvest is o'er;
And the beautiful brooks are beginning to freeze,
'Tis time to remember the poor.

Cold winter is coming, his cold, icy breath
Is whistling through mountain and dell.
All nature he'll touch with the finger of death,
And lock up the earth with his spell.
He will laugh at the needy and mock at the poor,
As widely he opens their door;
Then try to spare something, a mite every day
A blessing will seem to the poor.

Cold winter is coming, where plenty abounds,
A dance and a song will be heard.
With mirth and with music your halls will resound,
And many will bow at your word. (?)
And remember the poor, let their hearts be made glad
By something you spare from your store.
It will nourish the feeble and cheer up the sad,
So be sure to remember the poor.


Transcribed by ear from People Like You a Folk-Legacy CD by Ed Trickett