Madison Cawein

A Song of the Snow

Sing, Ho, a song of the winter dawn,

When the air is still and the clouds are gone,

And the snow lies deep on hill and lawn,

And the old clock ticks, " 'Tis time! 'Tis time!"

And the household rises with many a yawn

Sing, Ho, a song of the winter dawn!

Sing, Ho!


Sing, Ho, a song of the winter sky

When the last star closes its icy eye

And deep in the road the snow-drifts lie,

And the old clock ticks, " 'Tis late! 'Tis late!"

And the flame on the hearth leaps red—leaps high

Sing, Ho, a song of the winter sky!

Sing, Ho!


Sing, Ho, a song of the winter morn

When the snow makes ghostly the wayside thorn,

And hills of pearl are the shocks of corn,

And the old clock ticks, "Tick-tock; tick-tock;"

And the goodman bustles about the barn

Sing, Ho, a song of the winter morn!

Sing, Ho!


Sing, Ho, a song of the winter day,

When ermine capped are the stocks of hay,

And the wood-smoke pillars the air with gray,

And the old clock ticks, "To work! To work!"

And the goodwife sings as she churns away

Sing, Ho, a song of the winter day!

Sing, Ho!