Tearjerker warning: this is a sweet and sentimental song.
Forewarned is forearmed.


Jim Seals sings and plays "Little White Rabbit" (studio recording)


WAYLAND THE RABBIT
Lyrics by Jim Seals

Oh, my Wayland, there's deer in the forests
And rivers are flowing just for you
Oh, my father, look down:
Through the mountains and valleys,
The grain's in the silo, all for you

One fine morning, as Dad was walking
Just to see what he could see
He spied a little white rabbit
He was frozen as solid as he could be
And Dad cried as he knelt down beside him
He asked God, "How could you be so cruel?"
And his heart broke for the little white rabbit
"But, you see, that the owl would never have been
So gentle, and God is so kind"

I love Wayland 'cause he's strong
And I love him 'cause he's weak
And the rabbit is running within him

Oh, my Wayland, the children are waiting
And berries are ripe down below the hill
Oh, my father, the shadows of nighttime can't touch you
Immortal, go quickly, be thankful
The water is cool: drink your fill

Today as I walked 'long beside him
I said: "Dad, why do you look so sad?"
He turned as he stood by the doorway
He said: "Things are not like they used to be."
I smiled as if I could teach him
I said: "Dad, it's mercy in disguise
Once you told of a little white rabbit
And you said that the owl would never have been
So gentle, and God is so kind."

And I love you 'cause you're strong
And I love you 'cause you're weak
And the rabbit is running within me

from the Seals and Crofts album I'll Play for You, 1975
(published by BMI, Warner Bros. Group, Rhino/Wounded Bird records)