[Verse 1] When the birch turns gold and the fruit grows mold The forest stirs with something centuries old When the cranes fly south at the break of day It sheds another layyy-er [Refrain] Heave-ho The molt it goes Slow and cruel and steady When the last bird calls And the first leaf falls It may finally breathe with ease again (It may finally breathe with ease...) [Verse 2] The farther we row, the more leaves will fall And beneath them all, one shape sprawls Naked limbs rake through the stars And hide peeks through where there once was bark [Refrain] Heave-ho The molt it goes Slow and cruel and steady When the first snow falls And the cold takes hold It may finally know peace again (It may finally know peace...) [Instrumental break] [Nyckelharpa, tagelharpa] [Verse 3] The boat finds rest by the farther shore As the hare turns white, we lay down our oars We rub our hands warm from the evening sting And sing the hymn of the Autumn King [Refrain] Heave-ho The Molt, it rose On hind legs tall and steady When the spring sun burns And the birds return It will lay down in the breeze again (It will lay down in the breeze...) [instrumental outro]
