I remember years ago 

a little girl with her laughter 

from high up on your shoulders you would tell 

me stories, 

and sing to me softly 


once I had a little girl 

with two braids swinging on her back 

when she undid her thick black braids 

my heart would also come undone 


in the meadow, I unraveled them 

friendly old moon smiled down on us 

but in the fall, she'd shed them all 

to the autumn of our souls 



in the meadow, I unraveled them 

friendly old moon smiled down on us 


once I had a little girl 

with two braids swinging on her back 

she has gone, this little girl 

and taken spring away with her 


now that same girl stands before you 

long black hair caped over her shoulders 

stage lights shine 

and in my mind 

I send a song out to you 


"once I had a little girl 

with two braids swinging on her back" 

but autumn's past 

and she will laugh 

fall is all but gone away 

a lovely spring 

begins 

today