At fall of leaf the chestnuts came Their conkered hearts to break And cracked upon a piece of string They fought for children's sake. At fall of leaf the squirrel played Around the hazel wood And packed his metabolic case With kernels full of food. At fall of leaf the hedgehog strayed Across the harvest moon, And faded down a path of light To hide in Winter's womb. At fall of leaf the pheasant made His preservation call The hunter heard him tempt his mate The hunter saw him stall. At fall of leaf the swan kept faith Where heart of Lir grew sore Who heard the music on the wing By Derryvarragh's shore. At fall of leaf the farmer strained The ridge was almost done, Where furrows stitched in gossamer Unravelled in the sun.