Below are three different versions of this traditional English/Nova Scotian/North Carolinian song. There are many different lyrics for this winter's song, but I've chosen a hybrid of old and new lines. No matter the version, the message is explicitly clear. Remember the poor, especially at this cold, dark time of the year.
The first version is by Debra Cowan, the second by Jennifer Cutting's Ocean Orchestra, and the third by Waterson Cathey. And the Sequoia tree image was photographed by me. Remember.
Download 10 The Snow Is On the Ground
Download 09 Time to Remember the Poor
Download 12 Time to Remember the Poor
Time To Remember The Poor
(Traditional English, Nova Scotian, North Carolinian song.)
Cold winter is come with its cold chilling breath
And the leaves have all dropped from the trees.
And all Nature seems touched by the finger of death
And the streams are beginning to freeze.
When the hills and the dales are all covered with white
And the flora attends us no more.
When you are enjoying a good fireside
That's the time to remember the poor.
When the north wind’s ascending and chilling the ground
And the sportsman again shooting go.
When the happy young lads o’er the river’s can slide
And the icicles hang at your door.
When our lips and our fingers are trembling with cold
And the rivers are froze on the shore.
When the bright twinkling stars they proclaim the cold night
That’s the time to remember the poor.
When the poor timid hare is tracked to the woods
With his footsteps indented in snow.
And the Robin Redbreast, he approaches your cot.
And in danger, the travelers go.
When your minds are annoyed by the wide swelling flood
And the bridges are useful no more.
When your bowl smokes with something reviving and hot,
That’s the time to remember the poor.
Soon a day it will come when our Savior will see
All nations shall join in one voice.
All the world shall unite to salute the sweet morn
All the ends of the Earth shall rejoice.
When grim death's deprived of its killing sting
And the grave rules triumphant no more
Saints, Angels and men Hallelujah shall sing
That’s the time to remember the poor.
Saints, Angels and men Hallelujah shall sing
Then the rich must remember the poor.
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