Long, long, long ago;

Way before this winter's snow

First fell upon these weathered fields;

I used to sit and watch and feel

And dream of how the spring would be,

When through the winter's stormy sea

She'd raise her green and growing head,

Her warmth would resurrect the dead.

Long before this winter's snow

I dreamt of this day's sunny glow

And thought somehow my pain would pass

With winter's pain, and peace like grass

Would simply grow.  The pain's not gone.

It's still as cold and hard and long

As lonely pain has ever been,

It cuts so deep and fear within.

Long before this winter's snow

I ran from pain, looked high and low

For some fast way to get around

Its hurt and cold.  I'd have found,

If I had looked at what was there,

That things don't follow fast or fair.

That life goes on, and times do change,

And grass does grow despite life's pains.

Long before this winter's snow

I thought that this day's sunny glow,

The smiling children and growing things

And flowers bright were brought by spring.

Now I know the sun does shine,

That children smile, and from the dark, cold, grime

A flower comes. It groans, yet sings,

And through its pain, its peace begins.