I'll learn to love the fallow way
When winter draws the valley down
And freezes all the little brooks
And stills the rivers in their storm
Time when our steps slow to the sound
Of falling flakes and crackling flames
When silver stars are high and still
Deep in the velvet of the sky
The crystal time, the silent times
I'll learn to love their quietness
While deep beneath the glistening snow
The black earth dreams of violets
I'll learn to love the fallow way
I'll learn to love the fallow way
When all my colors turn to white
And flying birds fold back their wings
Upon my ancient wanderings
The sun has slanted all her rays
Across a vast and harvest plain
My memories mingle in the dawn
I see the joyful vagabond
The crystal times the silent times
I'll learn to love their quietness
While deep beneath the glistening snow
The black earth dreams of violets
I'll learn to love the fallow way
No drummer comes across the plains
To tell of triumph or of pain
No sound of far off battle's cry
To draw me out or draw me nigh
I'll learn to love the fallow way
And gather in the patient fruits
And after autumn's blaze and burn
I'll know the feel of still, deep roots
That nothing seem to know or need
That crack the ice in frozen ponds
And slumbering in winter's folds
Have dreams of green and blue and gold
I'll learn to love the fallow way
And listen for the blossoming
Of my own heart once more in spring
As sure as time, as sure as snow
As sure as moonlight, wind and stars
The fallow time will fall away
The sun will bring an April day
And I will yield to summer's way
