THE WREN
Jack Hardy

What could ever drive a man
To venture out in all this cold?
What could ever be the dream upon his mind
Or the voice he heard come singing through the snow?
Singing down down, bless this soul
Singing down down, this I know
Singing down down down down, waming must be sent
And by foot it must be brought and so we went
For the wren

When all the people are quite warm
Except the few who gather fuel
They dread the wind when it gathers in the north
That causes all the gods to be so cruel
Singing down down bless this soul
Singing down down this I know
Singing down down down down to the forest end
And perhaps it might be there we apprehend
The wren

These of caution to be seen
Abroad at night about the queen
When all the world knows that deep down inside
The burden of paradise is mean
Singing down down bless this soul
Singing down down this I know
Singing down down down down games of pretend
Whether howling at the moon or Magdalen
Or the wren

A flock of birds must crown a king
Against the wind and under wing
And never notice when the one in front he falls
And another takes his place to gather all
Singing down down bless this soul
Singing down down this I know
Singing down down down down hear the voices blend
Though those who stand behind will not defend
The wren


SOURCE:
Written by Jack Hardy 1984, recorded on his CD "The Cauldron." Also sung by Cindy Mangsen on her CD
songlines. (per Frank of Toledo)

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