Song, Chant, Poetry, Stories and Satire for the Pagan Community

This entry made: 03/13/2000

Title: Jack in the Green
Lyrics by: Ian Anderson
Tune: original
Date:
Source: http://remus.rutgers.edu/JethroTull/Albums/SongsFromTheWood-lyrics.html
Recorded on: "Songs from the Wood" (Jethro Tull) 1977 Chrysalis Music
Subject: God

Have you seen Jack-In-The-Green?
With his long tail hanging down.
He sits quietly 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.