Death Singing

In the straw-colored light 
In light rapidly changing 
On a life rapidly fading 

Have you seen death singing 
Have you seen death singing 

With a throat smooth as a lamb 
Yet dry as a branch not snapping 
He throws back his head 
And he does not sing a thing mournful 

Have you seen death singing 
Have you seen death singing 
Have you seen death singing 
In the straw-colored light 

He sings a black embrade 
And white opals swimming 
In a child's leather purse 
Have you seen death swimming 
Have you seen death swimming 

With a throat smooth as a lamb 
Yet dry as a branch not snapping 
He throws back his head 
And he does not sing a thing mournful 

Have you seen death singing 
Have you seen death singing 
Have you seen death singing 
In the straw-colored light 

He sings of youth enraged 
And the burning of Atlanta 
And these viral times 
And May ribbons streaming 
And straw-colored curls a-turning 
A mother's vain delight 
And woe to the sun 
And woe to the young 
Another hearse is drawn 
Have you seen death singing 
In the straw-colored light