One winter's Eve

Went to walking out beyond the city gate

For to fetch a fresh young pheasant

For my darling's dinner plate

It was snowing oh so quietly

And the woods were wide and soft

Just the sound of snowflakes falling

And the footsteps as I walked

There I saw a fresh young pheasant

And I shot and killed him there

And I heard a distant church bell

As the bird fell from the air

As I held his dying body the

Strangest thought came over me

God had made this little body that

I had killed so faultlessly

All the woods were dark and shadowed

With the light the cold stars gave

Sent a prayer to God in heaven

And covered up the little grave

And covered up the little grave