The Valleys

I heard it from the valleys I heard it ringing in the mountains Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah I heard it from the valleys I heard him singing in the mountains Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah Robert, when I drowse to-night Skirting lawns of sleep to chase Shifting dreams in mazy light Somewhere then I'll see your face Turning back to bid me follow Where I wag my arms and hollow Over hedges hasting after Crooked smile and baffling laughter We know such dreams are true He's come back, all mirth and glory -Running tireless, floating, leaping -Down your web-hung woods and valleys -Where the glowworm stars are peeping Like the prince in a fairy story -Till I find you, quiet as stone -On a hill-top all alone -Staring outward, gravely pondering -Jumbled leagues of hillock-wandering Winter called him far away -You and I have walked together -In the starving winter weather -We've been glad because we knew -Time's too short and friends are few Blossoms bring him home with May -We've been sad because we missed -One whose yellow head was kissed -By the gods, who thought about him -Till they couldn't do without him Now he's here again Standing in a wood that swings To the madrigal he sings And I'm sure, as here I stand, That he shines through every land That he sings in every place Where we're thinking of his face While we know such dreams are true