One winter's eve, I went a-walkin' out beyond the city gates
Far to fetch a fresh young pheasant for my darlin's dinner plate
It was snowing, oh, so quietly, and the woods were white and soft
Just the sound of snowflakes falling and the birds singing
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 this dying body, the strangest thought came over me
God had made this little body that I had killed so thoughtlessly
Oh, the woods were dark and shadowed
With the light of day, and the stars were bright

The cold stars gave
I said a prayer to God in heaven
And covered up a little grave
I covered up a little grave