The Laughing Lake 1977

Throw a stone across the ice
Upon the laughing lake
We city kids sure know our stuff
We're out here on the make

The colour of the winter sky
Reflects the coldness of the ground
The leather of our shoes is thin
It lets us know we've been around

Throw a stone across the ice
And hear the laughing lake
We should have worm our furry coats
Our ears begin to ache

No empty cans among the trees
No motor-cars or sudden sounds
Just wayward crows in wintertime
They cross the hills between the town

The pebble spins across the ice
Farther than the eye can see
The laughter echoes from the air
And darkness gathers silently

Throw a stone across the ice
And watch the laughing lake
When springtime sunshine warms the air
The frozen water breaks

Our sinking stone will make its way
To join the other stones below
While you and I will take our place
In stony cities' undertow