At the Coming of the Wild Swans At the Coming of the Wild Swans By Fiona MacLeodBy Fiona MacLeod

By loch and darkening river,By loch and darkening river, Above the salt sea-plains,Above the salt sea-plains,Across the misty mountains,Across the misty mountains, Amid the blinding rains,Amid the blinding rains, In fierce or silent weatherIn fierce or silent weather The wild swans southward fare,The wild swans southward fare, The wild swans swing togetherThe wild swans swing together Through lonely fields of air,Through lonely fields of air, Crying Crying Honk, Honk, Honk,Honk, Honk, Honk, Glugulu, ullalu , glugulu,Glugulu, ullalu , glugulu, Honk! Honk!Honk! Honk!

The seamew’s lonely laughterThe seamew’s lonely laughter Flits down the flowing wave,Flits down the flowing wave,The green scarts follow afterThe green scarts follow after The surge where cross-tides rave:The surge where cross-tides rave:The sea-duck’s mellow wailingThe sea-duck’s mellow wailing Floats over sheltered places,Floats over sheltered places,And southward, southward sailingAnd southward, southward sailing Go all the feathered races.Go all the feathered races. When the swans cry When the swans cry Honk, Honk,Honk, Honk, Glugulu, ullalu , glugulu,Glugulu, ullalu , glugulu, Honk! Honk!Honk! Honk!

White spirits from the Northland,White spirits from the Northland, Grey clan of Storm and Frost,Grey clan of Storm and Frost,Wind-swooping to the SouthlandWind-swooping to the Southland From icy seas blast-tost,From icy seas blast-tost, Wild clan of sons and daughters,Wild clan of sons and daughters, A welcome, now you are comeA welcome, now you are come When all your polar watersWhen all your polar waters Are frozen, white and dumb!Are frozen, white and dumb! Crying Crying Honk, Honk, Honk,Honk, Honk, Honk, Glugulu, ullalu , glugulu,Glugulu, ullalu , glugulu, Honk! Honk!Honk! Honk!