It Has Been Awhile Now

It has been awhile now since i heard the robin sing
On a morn full of bloom in the prime of the Spring
When pink blossoms were on the crab apple tree
The beauty in mental images one does see

It has been awhile now going back many a year
Since the song of the dipper in the river i did hear
A water dwelling bird i often did hear and see
He was one who was quite familiar to me

It has been awhile since i've heard cock pheasant crow
In the field by the bog where the rank rushes grow
And i fancy i hear on an evening in May
The flute of the curlew in a place from here far away

It has been awhile since i heard the silver tongued rill
Babbling to the river down the field by the hill
The past may be gone but the good memories of it remain
And in fancy i walk in the old fields again

Time does not wait for anyone as some like to say
And i now show my years in wrinkles and gray
And it has been awhile now since i last heard a cow
Lowing in a lush field by the River Finnow.