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, powerlines,

keep us apart?

Well, I don't think so ---

I saw some grass growing through the pavements today.



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.