When Winter's shadowy fingers first pursue you down the street
And your boots no longer lie about the cold around your feet
Do you spare a thought for Summer whose passage is complete
Whose memories lie in ruins and whose ruins lie in heat (D Dsus4, D, Dsus4, D)x2 When Winter.... comes howling in.
When the wind is singing strangely, blowing music through your head And your rain-splattered windows make you decide to stay in bed Do you spare a thought for the homeless tramp who wishes he was dead Or do you pull your bed-clothes higher, dream of Summertime instead, When Winter.... comes howling in.
The creeping cold has fingers that caress without permission And mystic crystal snowdrops only aggravate the condition Do you spare a thought for the gypsy with no secure position Who's turned and spurned by village and town and the Magistrate's decision, When Winter.... comes howling in.
When the turkey's in the oven and the Christmas presents are bought And Santa's in his module - he's an American astronaut - Do you spare a thought for Jesus, who had nothing but his thoughts, Who got busted - just for talking, and befriending the wrong sorts, When Winter.... comes howling in.