A snowy path for squirrel and fox, It winds between the wintry firs. Snow-muffled are its iron rocks, And o’er its stillness nothing stirs.
But low, bend low a listening ear! Beneath the mask of moveless white A babbling whisper you shall hear Of birds and blossoms, leaves and light.
- Charles G.D. Roberts (1860-1943)
With an accessible vocal line above contemporary harmonies and colors, this little song of “spring thaw” is a great introduction to a more dissonant repertoire. Beginning “with a chill” and later “warming up”, there are also lots of chances for the singer to explore word painting and varied tone color.
