Why do they call it black,

when I think it looks all white?

Every tree, draped with snow,

and more will fall tonight!

Such a magic kingdom,

of lakes and towering peaks,

of deep, dark woods and valleys,

and babbling falls and creeks.

And in any village,

wood carvers work all day.

Listen to their cuckoo clocks,

hand-made the German way.

Teacher’s note:  The Black Forest (in German, Schwarzwald) is so-named because its fir forests are dark and mysterious.  It covers 6,000 square kilometres, its highest peaks soaring to 1,400 metres.  The Danube and Neckar Rivers have their source here.  Traditional skills include woodworking, crafting musical instruments and of course cuckoo clocks!