Across the hills black clouds are sweeping,
Carry poison far and wide!
And the grass has blackened underfoot
And the rose has withered and died.
But the rose is still as red love and the grass is still as green.
And it must have been a shadow in the distance you have seen.
Yes it must have been a shadow you have seen.
But can't you hear the children weeping?
Can't you hear that mournful sound?
And no birds sing in the twisted trees
In the silent streets around.
I can hear the children laughing in the streets as they play,
And you must have caught the dying of an echo far away.
Yes it must have been an echo far away.
But can't you see the white ash falling
From the hollow of the skies?
And the blood runs red down the blackened walls
Where a ruined city lies!
I can see the red sun shining in the park on the stream,
And you must have felt a shiver from the darkness of a dream.
Yes it must have been the darkness of a dream.
And death shall reap a hellish harvest,
Make the desert of this land!
But the rose is still as red love and the grass is still as green.
And it must have been a shadow you have seen.