Jack-In-The-Green

Have you seen Jack-In-The-Green?
With his long tail hanging down
He quietly sits under every tree ---
In the folds of his velvet gown
He drinks from the empty acorn cup
The dew that dawn sweetly bestows
And taps his cane upon the ground ---
Signals the snowdrops it's time to grow

It's no fun being Jack-In-The-Green ---
No place to dance, no time for song
He wears the colours of the summer soldier ---
Carries the green flag all the winter long

Jack, do you never sleep ---
Does the green still run deep in your heart?
Or will these changing times
Motorways, powerlines
Keep us apart?
Well, I don't think so ---
I saw some grass growing through the pavements today

The rowan, the oak and the holly tree
Are the charges left for you to groom
Each blade of grass whispers Jack-In-The-Green
Oh Jack, please help me through my winter's night
And we are the berries on the holly tree
Oh, the mistlethrush is coming
Jack, put out the light