[Intro]
[Verse]
Now that autumn is returning and the garden fires are burning
And the summer beasts are learning how to cope with shorter days
There I labour all alone, piling stone upon the stone
Feeling just a touch of sadness as the summer slips away
As I roll the stone upon the stone
[Verse]
Working in the frosty weather when the stones are stuck together
Lifting divots, soil and heather as I prise them from the ground
Not a lot of work gets done, till the weak and wintry sun
Loosens up their icy grip and I can lay me hammer down
As I roll the stone upon the stone
[Verse]
The barometer is falling and the forecast is appalling
And the working folk are crawling through the January storm
Gales 8 to 10 all day, all but blow the stones away
And my brain has turned to porridge by the time I head for home
As I roll the stone upon the stone
[Verse]
Now the winter gales are ending and the days are soon extending
And an early lark ascending, has me looking round for spring
Stones taken from the land are warm under the hand
And my cup is running over with the pleasure of the thing
As I roll the stone upon the stone
[Verse]
Soon the wall is moving over belts of willow, herb and clover
And the weasel and the plover watch me slowly pass them by
And the air is full of wings, as a million stinging things
Set me longing for November in the middle of July
As I roll the stone upon the stone