Cardinal, cardinal
Calling to spring,
High from the tip of an elm
Where you cling —
Red is your head, and your wings,
And your crest;
Red like a rose
Is the red of your breast;
Thou art aglow
Like a coal in a fire,
Burning with heat
Of an inward desire.

What dost thou see
From the limb where you swing
Waiting to waken
A somnolent spring?
Canst thou look into
The heart of a tree?
See its cold sap
Stir to new activity?
Watch the first pulse
Which may throb in a bud?
Vision the coming
Of nature's green flood?

Cardinal, confident,
Cheerful and bold,
Thou fearest not
March's bluster and cold.
Warm is thy heart
With the secret you bear,
Icicles glitter,
'Tis little you care!
Soon you will whistle
Above your own nest
Doing the singing
You love to do best.

             Cardinal, cardinal,
                 Calling to spring,

I would fain join you
Could I but sing.
Soon dainty blossoms
Will broadcast their scent,
Bees will be humming,
Rains make descent,
Spring will have spread
Her soft curtains of green,
Glories of earth
Will emblazon the scene.

                    Cardinal, cardinal,
                    Calling to spring,
                    In every clime
                    Let thy clarion ring.
                    After the winter
                    Of chill and disease
                    Cometh, unfailing,
                    Green leaf, gentle breeze.
                    This is the joy
                    Of thy secret revealed,
                    Cardinal, calling
                    For winter to yield.