Winter Song

When winter's shadowy fingers
First pursue you down the street
And your boots no longer lie
About the cold around your feet

Do you spare a thought for summer
Whose passage is complete
Whose memories lie in ruins
And whose ruins lie in heat?

When winter comes howling in

When the wind is singing strangely
Blowing music through your head
And your rain-splattered windows
Make you decide to stay in bed

Do you spare a thought for the homeless tramp
Who wishes she was dead
Or pull up your bedclothes higher
Dream of summertime instead?

When winter comes howling in

The creeping cold has fingers
That caress without permission
And mystic crystal snowdrops
Only aggravate the condition

Do you spare one thought for the traveler
With no secure position
Who's turned and spurned by village and town
At the magistrate's decision?

When winter comes howling in

When the turkey is in the oven
And the Christmas presents are bought
And Santa's in his module
He's an American astronaut

Do you spare one thought for Jesus
Who had nothing but his thoughts
Who got busted just for talking
And befriending the wrong sorts?

When winter comes howling in
When winter
When winter comes
Comes howling in