When in the springtime of the year
When the trees are crowned with leaves
When the ash and oak, and the birch and yew
Are dressed in ribbons fair

When owls call the breathless moon
In the blue veil of the night
The shadows of the trees appear
Amidst the lantern light

We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
Now returning back again
We bring a garland gay

Who will go down to the shady groves
And summon the shadows there
And tie a ribbon on those sheltering arms
In the springtime of the year

The songs of birds seem to fill the wood
That when the fiddler plays
All their voices can be heard
Long past their woodland days

We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
And now returning back again
We bring a garland gay

And so they linked their hands and danced
'Round in circles and in rows
And so the journey of the night descends
When all the shades are gone

A garland gay we bring you here
And at your door we stand
It is a sprout well budded out
The work of our Lord's hand

We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
And now returning back again
We bring a garland gay

We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
And now returning back again
We bring a garland gay

Written by Loreena McKennitt

I love this song so much. The original song by Loreena McKennitt was introduced to me by Richard during the first few weeks that I knew him. This is his favorite song and I wanted to cover it in my way to make something special for his birthday, which is also Loreena McKennitt’s birthday which adds an extra layer to how special she is to him as an artist. I hope I do the song justice as it is truly one of the most well-written and beautiful songs in existence. Happy Birthday to my favorite person.