The Little Grave

On Christmas Eve I went a walking out beyond the city gate
 For to fetch a fresh young pheasant for my darling's Christmas plate
 It was snowing oh so quietly and the woods were wide and soft
 Just the sound of snowflakes falling 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
 [ strings ]
 As I held his dying body the strangest thought came over me
 God had made this little body that I have killed on Christmas Eve
 All the woods were dark and shadowed with the light the cold stars gave
 I sent a prayer to God in heaven and covered up the little grave
 And covered up the little grave