In January Far Away

Far north even as the migratory bird flies from here far away
It is cold by the old hills very cold today
The chill winds of rain soughing in the bare trees
And the weather temperature down below zero degrees

The hills and foothills are cloaked in the gray fogs of rain
And brown stormwater gurgling in every roadside drain
The river flowing bank high in flood waters of brown
In the bare and wet fields by the old country town

When the chirp of a bird one is not likely to hear
In January far away it is a cold time of year
The cattle in the farm sheds are bellowing for feed
The cold for more fodder in them stirs the need

A time of year when birds aging, frail and old
Succumb to the elements of hunger and cold
When April will bring to the trees new leaves of the Spring
On hedgerow and in grove and wood their children will sing

The harsh winds of winter blow with a cold chill
Above the bare fields by the northern hill
And the sun has not been sighted for many a day
By the fog covered hills in January far away.