When the leaves and flowers are dead,

When the other birds are fled,

When the winter wind is keen,

Then the snow-birds all are seen.

When the flakes are falling fast,

When the forest feels the blast,

When the drifts in circles play,

’Tis the snow-birds’ holiday.

When the earth is covered deep,

When in ice the rivers sleep,

When all other things are sad,

Hark! the snow-birds’ voice is glad!

When the frost is on the pane,

When the wailing winds complain,

When the boys come shivering in,

Hark! the snow-birds’ cheerful din!

But when Spring, ’mid rosy light,

Bids stern Winter take his flight,

The snow-birds, in his stormy train,

Fly northward, where he holds his reign.