Lyrics

I will let loose against you the fleet-footed vines-- I will call in the Jungle to stamp out your lines! The roofs shall fade before it, The house-beams shall fall; And the Karela, the bitter Karela, Shall cover it all! In the gates of these your councils my people shall sing. In the doors of these your garners the Bat-folk shall cling; And the snake shall be your watchman, By a hearthstone unswept; For the Karela, the bitter Karela, Shall fruit where ye slept! Ye shall not see my strikers; ye shall hear them and guess. By night, before the moon-rise, I will send for my cess, And the wolf shall be your herdsman By a landmark removed; For the Karela, the bitter Karela, Shall seed where ye loved! I will reap your fields before you at the hands of a host. Ye shall glean behind my reapers for the bread that is lost; And the deer shall be your oxen On a headland untilled; For the Karela, the bitter Karela, Shall leaf where ye build! I have untied against you the club-footed vines-- I have sent in the Jungle to swamp out your lines! The trees--the trees are on you! The house-beams shall fall; And the Karela, the bitter Karela, Shall cover you all!