Autumn's ashes, summer's embers On the sidewalk come September And suddenly I can't remember Any lessons learned Now that I'm a migrant picker Trouble-minded tin-can kicker I wish my skin was thicker The air has turned I can live alone I said I can make my lonesome bed I don't need a hole in my head I don't need a lover But he took me by surprise I fell down and saw him rise Till he was larger in my eyes Than any other How suddenly the summer died I couldn't bring it back to life I couldn't sing it back to life But I tried Came to him in summer clothing Came to him because I chose him Came to find his fingers frozen And he would not reach for me Came to him for his sweet song Came to him for right or wrong Came to find his heart belonged To one who came before me How suddenly the sweetness died I couldn't bring it back to life I couldn't sing it back to life But I tried Autumn's ashes, summer's embers On the sidewalk come September Suddenly I can't remember Any lessons learned Now that I'm a migrant picker Trouble-minded tin-can kicker I wish my skin was thicker The air has turned