Holy Day

Now the hands of the clock
Turn to half the sixth hour
There's nothing to be doing
At this early hour
But listen to the breeze
And the birds that are singing
Tune in to the heart
In its newest beginning
As low clouds pass west
Across a slate-grey blue sky
And branch, cone and needle
To and fro on the pines
And the run in the river
Runs straight through your mind
It's as close to an answer
As you're likely to find

Holy day, Holy night
Holy day, Holy night

Day comes with the details
That were not washed away
We labour for creation
Suffer, are erased
There are those moving slow
Maybe up or down rungs
And those in golden shackles
Stuck in velvet ruts
You know your dear darling
Knows former and latter
You saw her chains fall
And the velvet in tatters
You say "Let's walk that mountain walk
There's fresher air to find
Let's leave that search for answers
Aside for a while"

Holy day, Holy night
Holy day, Holy night

Late, the dog lays his head
On your lap in the bed
And you smile at the old saying
That he's your best friend
He's like tonight's moon
Shining three-sixty degrees
He don't speak, cheats only fools
He's damn good company
While downstairs your friends
A married couple, lie asleep
They're gentle and kind
You're glad fortune made you meet
Be it dog, friend, lover
Whichever lot in life
It's as close to an answer
As you're likely to find...

Now the hands of the clock
Turn to half the fifth hour
If you could you would
Be asleep at this late hour
Night's black and blue
A cock crows for what is coming
And you're one foot closer
To your final becoming
As wind whistles low
Needles rustle on the pines
And a sparrow sings out
Into blue and black sky
And a cry from the valley
Comes up sudden and high
They are as close to an answer
As you or I

Holy day, Holy night
Holy day, Holy night
Holy day, Holy night
Holy day, Holy night