I passed a young man in my sleep yesterday
Said can you help me to find my own way
My demons beset me around and around
My spirits are low and my head it resounds
He said, “Don’t you know me? I am your own boy
We spent years together in laughter and joy
And knowing that troubles were too much for thee
I founded for you the deep cider sea”

I said, “My young boy, how is this you know?
For you were not with me all those years ago”
He said, “I have watched you from boyhood to man
And all that you are now I quite understand”
I wept for myself, and these words I said,
“My misfortunes are more than the hairs on my head”
“But you mustn’t worry” my boy said to me
You’re still the same child inside of thee

I rebuked the boy for what he said to me
For I am the strongest of all you can see
And when in my weakness my misery grows
The humour I’m blessed with continues to show
My boy shook his head and said, “All very well
But no-one can join you in your private hell
The tide is receding it’s time you were free
You no longer have need of the deep cider sea”

I sat in my room and a thought came to me
I’ll plant in my garden a young apple tree
And as its branches reach out and grow
My peace will return, that much I know
My boy he was smiling but fading away
Saying, “You and I may meet again one fine day
The things that beset you will no more be found
And apples from your tree will cover the ground”

“But wait,” I cried, anxious, “before you must go
Gone are the demons but, how did you know?”
He smiled as he left and said, “Take it from me
All these things were drowned in the deep cider sea”