Cars rolling in the ditch outside, along I-96
The warmth from our fireplace keeps getting dimmer
But a flash of bright red streaks across the barren white
There’s a cardinal in winter
A cardinal in winter

We’re wrapped up in our blankets, huddled on the couch
Even in the cold, your arms feel tender
Looking out the window, through drifting swirls of snow
There’s a cardinal in winter
We see a cardinal in winter

It seems like all the world
Is barren, white, and still
And the hope of sunshine’s warmth
Is just a glimmer
But landing on the frozen branches
Beneath the window sill
There’s a cardinal in winter
Cardinal in winter

Cold creeps in through the window panes, the fire’s down to embers
Your soul feels like it’s frosting at the center
When it seems the sun will never come, try hard to remember
There’s a cardinal in winter
There’s always a cardinal in winter

In these days of whipping winds, I try to do the best I can
I try to be more saint than rambling sinner
I still need reminders that spring is coming on
You’re a cardinal in winter
You know that you're my cardinal in winter

It seems like all the world
Is barren, white, and still
And the hope of sunshine’s warmth
Is just a glimmer
But landing on the frozen branches
Beneath the window sill
There’s a cardinal in winter
There's always a cardinal in winter