The cuckoo is a pretty bird, she sings as she flies

She brings us the tidings and tells us no lies

She feeds on the pretty flowers in the spring of the year

And sings of my false love in a voice true and clear



A-walkin' and a-talkin', a-walkin' goes I

To meet my false lover and hear him deny

But if I'm forsaken, I have not fore sworned

And he surely mistaken to think I shall mourn



For I can love little and I can love long

And I can love a sweetheart 'til a new one comes along

I can hug him, I can kiss him and prove my heart kind

And turn my back on him and likewise my mind



A-walkin' and a-talkin', a-walkin' goes I

To meet with my true love, we'll meet by and by

To walk and talk together it's all my delight

To walk and talk together from evening till night