When autumn woods are bare and dead,
A crested bird, of cardinal red,
Sways like an oak-leaf overhead;
And sighs, "Drear! drear! drear!"
When winter woods are white with snow,
And drifts pile high as wild winds blow,
Like flame this torchlike bird doth glow;
And cries, "Whew! whew! whew!"
When springtime's crimson buds appear,
And red-gold columbines are here,
This songster welcomes the new year;
And sings, "Cheer! cheer! cheer!"
When summer's sun sheds scorching beams,
And cardinal flowers beside the streams
Grow wild, this brilliant bird still gleams;
And whistles, "Hue! hue! hue!"
