The gray year drifted out
As a tired love might go,
And there was no heart to breathe a song
Across the leagues of snow.
O the gray, sad year went out, went out,
And who was there to know?

The glad new year came in
As a white young love might come,
And through all the world I heard the sound
Of welcoming bell and drum.
O the glad new year came in, came in,
And hearts with joy grew dumb.

But the new year shall go out
As the old year went its way;
And the young love must grow very old,
Yea, old and wan and gray;
And thus shall it be till Time and Love
Die on a Winter's day.