You counted seventy-four swans on the canal
You counted seventy-four swans on the canal
You were glad it was an even number
Everybody had another

No one was facing this cold alone
This cold alone
Cold alone
Cold alone

They were gathered between bridges in the steely sunshine
Bookened by ice on either side
Here comes a pair on final approach
Wings like great white bellows

Gathering inward to land and it looks like grace
Looks like grace, looks like grace

You counted seventy-four swans on the canal
You counted seventy-four swans on the canal
You were glad it was an even number
Everybody had another
No one was facing this cold alone

I thought you were right there with me on my left side
Too eager to get where I'm going, I left you behind
But you were on the last watch
The passing of the torch
You counted seventy-four swans, and now there's seventy-five