it is a cold winter away is the songbird and gone is her traveller she waits at home the sun is on holiday no leaves on the trees the animals sleep while cold north wind blows the snowflakes are falling the roof a white blanket there s ice on the windowpane she waits alone she sits by the fireside the room is so warm her children are sleeping she waits in their home passing the time passing the time everything fine passing the time having the wine passing the time drinking red wine passing the time everything s fine passing the time drinking red wine passing the time everything s fine passing the time drinking red wine passing the time everything s fine passing the time wine and time rhyme passing the time it is a long winter away is the summer she waits for her traveller so far from home she sits by the fireside the room is so warm there s ice on the window she s lonely alone