Good Tidings

It's twelve days before Christmas, Love, and I am sitting here, the hearth fire is burning bright, but on my cheek they're tears. I hold the conch shell to my ear and call for you my dear. Out across the briny deep a tempest cries beware. The entry hall is full of garland, pine, spruce and mistletoe The mirrors are all draped with ribbons, the brass all aglow I hold the conch shell to me ear and stare out at the snow remembering our last parting, I begged you not to go. "Captain" said I "can you not see you take my heart from me?" In his hand I placed a lock of hair, and a mustard seed. He handed me a pearly conch shell from the Isle of Capri, and bid me listen for his love song from the Southern Sea. For twelve days, I've climbed stairs to the widows walk on high, I clasp the token to my chest and search the sea near-by So sad, yet sweet the mermaids sang, they of sailor's gone by. They sang in sympathy, a song of longing with breathy sighs. The cliff fires burn so bright now, he's coming on the tide. The church bells are ringing now, soon they'll at anchor lie. Had he heard me, had he called, had it been a dream I scryed? T'was Christmas Eve and in the snow, he's landing with the tide.