Thoughtful Thursday - Jack-in-the Green

[Salem County, NJ Ring-necked Pheasant last weekend.]


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.

- Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull