Em 
Red-hot midsummer
                    C
torrid winds do moan
                          Am7
earth of dust and crevice
                   Em
put us off to roam
 
no rain was falling
                       C
since spring passed by
                      Am7
and this red midsummer
                     Em
turns into our decay

C  Am7  Em

Through that heat
                  C
above sand so roan
                           Am7
swirls the blackbird's song
                              Em
joined by the old trees' groan

locusts sing
                   C
in bright sunshine
                       Am7
and this red midsummer
                     Em
turns into our decay

C  Am7  Em  x4

Em
Place a cross of leaves
                              C
may there be strength to grow
                      Am7
let us dance this rite
                         Em
call on the help of Thorr

the wooden pole,
                            C
wreath and midsummer prayer
                Am7
help us to avert
                    Em
this imminent decay

C Am7 Em

The holy king
                          C
beats now the king of oak
                        Am7
yet burn the holy herbs
                              Em
Vervain and Saint John's word

the child then the old man
                          C
cast them into the flames
                           Am7
now this red-hot midsummer
                       Em  C  Am7
is gifted a silver ray
                       Em  C  Em
is gifted a silver ray