Jack In The Green

Have you seen Jack-In-The-Green?   With his long tail hanging down.   He sits quietly under every tree ---     in the folds of his velvet gown.   He drinks from the empty acorn cup     the dew that dawn sweetly bestows.   And taps his cane upon the ground ---     signals the snowdrops it’s time to grow.   It’s no fun being Jack-In-The-Green ---   no place to dance no time for song.   He wears the colours of the summer soldier ---   carries the green flag all the winter long.   Jack do you never sleep ---   does the green still run deep in your heart?   Or will these changing times     motorways powerlineskeep us apart?   Well I don’t think so ---   I saw some grass growing through the pavements today.   REST THE SAME   The rowan the oak and the holly tree     are the charges left for you to groom.   Each blade of grass whispers Jack-In-The-Green.   Oh Jack please help me through my winter’s night.   And we are the berries on the holly tree.   Oh the mistlethrush is coming.   Jack put out the light.