Promise me you'll never fade,
Like the traitorous buds of May,
Nor seep into the frozen Earth,
Never fade, never grey.
Be not rash as rivers run fast,
Nor fickle like summer's sweet rains,
Be lighter than our leaden hearts,
For heavy words leave bitter stains.
Promise you'll put the stars to shame,
Like light's dance on the wat'ry sea,
Go, free yourself from these willow cages,
For you shine more brightly than we.
And if those shadows turn to ghosts,
If the sun is ever sealed by the shade,
Secret away to our secret place,
I'll be your keeper, and you'll never fade.