Sorrow is my bread And tears I drink as wine Oblivion my happiness Ground under teeth of time For cold be the stone When frost devoured the land Consolation is no gift Of winter's icy hand Upon a crust of snow I'll lay my broken frame What steel and iron won't take I'll give in winter's name No good a sullen soul No use a simple knave No groom for brides of plaited hair This man old and lame ♪ If only I could breathe To see the sun of May But still longer are the nights than days As I wither away Came the man of crown With sound of war drums beat Said no sword arm's strong enough Without my two good feet Upon a crust of snow I'll lay my broken frame What steel and iron won't take I'll give in winter's name No good a sullen soul No use a simple knave No groom for brides of plaited hair This man old and lame Old and lame ♪ No good a sullen soul No use a simple knave No groom for brides of plaited hair This man old and lame But not overlooked am I In eyes of the maid I'll wed I'll reap the crops of Tuonela My bride's wealth in death