On Christmas Eve I went a walking out beyond the city gate

For to fetch a fresh young pheasant for my darling's Christmas 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

[ strings ]

As I held his dying body the strangest thought came over me

God had made this little body that I have killed on Christmas Eve

All the woods were dark and shadowed with the light the cold stars gave

I sent a prayer to God in heaven and covered up the little grave

And covered up the little grave