The Lament of Hamelin

They heard the song
before the dawn
winding down the mountain.

The voice was sweet
worth rising to greet
but the words were incomprehensible.

All day long
flowed the song
and no one cared or minded.

Then ended the day
and the song went away
and was missed by one and all.

At the next day's dawn
there was no song
just the chill, gray airs of morning.

Folks up and woke,
but no one spoke
for the silence had undone them.

In silence they stood
in an undescribable mood
until the day was done.

But as the sun sank down,
the folk left the town,
and started walking toward the mountain.

Now they've been gone
for many a dawn
and I alone am left.

Deaf as a stone
in an empty home
wondering what befell them?

Did they die
or climb into the sky?
Was that voice from heaven or hell?

But if at dawn
you hear a lovely song
you should plug your ears with cotton.

For that pretty song,
could lead you wrong,
and remember the lament of Hamelin.