Jack-in-the-Green lyrics

Have you seen Jack-In-The-Green?

With his long tail hanging down.

He quietly sits 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.

• Artist:Jethro Tull
• Album:Songs From The Wood (1977)