Sitting beneath a willow tree

Green in the lull of spring,

I wonder what sorrow could make

My poor willow tree weep,

And as I'm drifting off to sleep

I feel the willow's spirit embrace me,

Whispering sadly in my ear--

This is when the willow wept.

-

A young child, strong and energetic

Runs about oblivious in innocence--

His father's delight, but too brown

By his loving mother's half

To earn a grandparent's love,

Hatred in their crippled hearts--

That is when the willow wept.

-

Rich men steal workers' wages but never

See the inside of a prison,

While, for stealing his dinner, the poor man

Sings the jail-bird's broken song,

Still fettered, even when freed,

His pleas, and bitter curses

clatter in my ear--

That is when the willow wept.

-

Stars dapple clear night sky,

Silhouette a man's shadow

Dangling from a lofty tree-branch,

Dark, soft features on a kindly face

Contorted by knotted rope, and fear

Scream mute in my ear--

That is when the willow wept.

-

Shivering as I feel her memories

Enter me, sobbing under her touch,

Her kind arms hold me tight

As she whispers tenderly--

This is when the willow wept.