Said the hawk unto the crow one day,\u2028Why do you in mourning stay?\u2028I was once in love and it didn’t prove fact,\u2028And ever since I wear the black.

Chorus (repeating each verse’s second half):\u2028With my Ri-the-diddle ri-the-diddle ri-the-diddley dum,\u2028With my Ri-the-diddle ri-the-diddle ri-the-diddley dum,\u2028I was once in love and it didn’t prove fact\u2028And ever since I wear the black.

And next there spoke the Willie Wagtail,\u2028I was once in love and I did prevail,\u2028I was once in love and I did prevail,\u2028And ever since I wag my tail.

And next there spoke the little brown thrush\u2028Who was sitting in yon holly bush, \u2028The way to court I’ve heard them say\u2028Is to court all night and sleep the next day.

And last there spoke the Jeannie Wran,\u2028Do you know what I’d do if I was a man?\u2028For fear that one would wriggle and go\u2028I would wear two strings upon my bow.