I heard a crow sing Sharply through the spring Unto this wreath on our door I told you before, but nobody, nobody heard The streets were dressed up Your father bought cups Initialed F, M & S Well gamblers will guess But nobody, nobody learns I'll be gone by Christmas I'll be gone by Christmas When you hold our boys head Strike a chime in my stead Know I'll be gone by then A breeze had come forth Born in the north, so cold, I thought that he died So I buried my cries and scattered the ash of the hearse With awe, I'm too kind The talent of time will wash this hand from my back Then compost the tracks So all that I've left is the word I'll be gone by Christmas I'll be gone by Christmas When he wails in the cot Sip the whiskey we bought, and know I'll be gone by then