Death's Song to the Fair Maiden
Fair, fair is your sweet smile
upon a summer’s day.
Go laughing in the morning
as we walk on our way.
Sorrow’s in the evening
and not a bit before,
so laugh now with your sunlit laugh,
until you laugh no more.
Fair, fair are your blue eyes
as you stand beside the sea,
watching as the waves come in,
one, and two, and three.
Feel the sun upon your cheek,
and the wind dance in your hair,
Enjoy the day that’s given you
Before you have to care.
The birds sing dirges while they fly –
don’t listen to their song,
or else the day will go awry
and your pain will last too long.
Pick up a shell and listen,
go running on the beach –
the storm is coming that will put these things
most firmly out of reach.
Fair, fair is your sweet smile
upon a summer’s day.
Go laughing in the morning
as we walk on our way.
Sorrow’s in the evening
and not a bit before,
so laugh now with your sunlit laugh,
until you laugh no more.