by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832 - 1898), as Lewis Carroll
In winter, when the fields are white
Language: English
In winter, when the fields are white, I sing this song for your delight — In spring, when woods are getting green, I'll try and tell you what I mean: In summer, when the days are long, Perhaps you'll understand the song: In autumn, when the leaves are brown, Take pen and ink, and write it down. I sent a message to the fish: I told them "This is what I wish." The little fishes of the sea, They sent an answer back to me. The little fishes' answer was "We cannot do it, Sir, because —"' I sent to them again to say "It will be better to obey." The fishes answered, with a grin, "Why, what a temper you are in!" I told them once, I told them twice: They would not listen to advice. I took a kettle large and new, Fit for the deed I had to do. My heart went hop, my heart went thump: I filled the kettle at the pump. Then some one came to me and said "The little fishes are in bed." I said to him, I said it plain, "Then you must wake them up again." I said it very loud and clear: I went and shouted in his ear.' 'But he was very stiff and proud: He said, "You needn't shout so loud!" And he was very proud and stiff: He said "I'd go and wake them, if —" I took a corkscrew from the shelf: I went to wake them up myself. And when I found the door was locked, I pulled and pushed and kicked and knocked. And when I found the door was shut, I tried to turn the handle, but —
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832 - 1898), as Lewis Carroll, no title, appears in Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Dorothea Hofmann (b. 1961), "In winter", 2017 [ soprano, flute, cello ], from Wonderland-Songs. Three Little Songs, no. 3 [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2022-06-13
Line count: 40
Word count: 286