The Fallow Way

The Fallow Way - Judy Collins

I'll learn to love the fallow way

When winter draws the valley down

And stills the rivers in the storm

And freezes all the little brooks

Time when our steps slow to the song

Of falling flakes and crackling flames

When silver stars are high and still

Deep in the velvet of the sky

The crystal times the silence times

I'll learn to love their quiet breath

While deep beneath the glistening snow

The black earth dreams of violets

I'll learn to love the fallow time

I'll learn to love the fallow way

When all my colors fade to white

And flying birds fold back their wings

Upon my anxious wanderings

The sun has slanted all her rays

Across the vast and harvest plain

My memories mingle in the dawn

I dream of joyful vagabonds

The crystal times the silence times

I'll learn to love their quietness

While deep beneath the glistening snow

The black earth dreams in of violets

I'll learn to love the fallow times

No drummer comes across the plain

To tell of triumph or of pain

No word of far off battle's cry

To draw me out or draw me nigh

I'll learn to love the fallow way

And gather in the patient fruits

And after autumns blaze and burn

I'll know the feel of still deep roots

But nothing seem to do or need

That crack the ice in frozen ponds

And slumbering in winter's folds

Have dreams of green and blue and gold

I'll learn to love the fallow way

And listen for the blossoming

Of my own heart once more in spring

As sure as time as sure as snow

As sure as moonlight and the stars

The fallow time will fall away

The sun will bring an April day

And I will yield to summer's way