Whippoorwill

"In the southern mountains,
the whippoorwill is both omen and messenger of death.
It is said and believed that if the bird sings in one's
backyard, there is a death in the family, or shortly will be."

Clouds have swept across the moon and all the world is still
Somewhere in the night I hear a lonely whippoorwill
Brisk upon the midnight air, the call is wild and shrill
Spilling out his sad lament, a lonely whippoorwill

Whippoorwill, I hear your lonely cry
The night is filled with sadness and so ill at ease am I
Far across the hill, midnight shadows fall
Somewhere lies a sleeping mate to hear your mournful call

Now I wish the silent winds would stir into a storm
And strike this earth with lightning and with rain
How I long for loving arms to hold and keep me warm
And hush away your sorrowful refrain

Peace! Be still and rest this weary night
Quiet as the velvet wings that carry you in flight
Fly, fly away, let my world be still
Go and find your sleeping mate, oh lonely whippoorwill
Whippoorwill, oh lonely whippoorwill.