The birds all held a party
One lovely day in June;
When hearts were light and cheery
And voices were in tune.
They came in pairs from woodlands,
From orchards, and from glen,
The robin, rook, and bluebird,
The swallow, cuckoo, wren,
Sweet bobolink and sparrow,
The crow and pretty jay,
The whip-poor-will and linnet,
All came that happy day.
The meadow lark and blackbird,
The tiny chickadee,
The chippy bird and nightingale,
All came the sights to see.
The catbird and canary,
The topknot and the thrush,
The oriole and turtledove,
All came to join the rush.
And each one brought a basket
With something good to eat;
The robins brought some cherries,
The crows each brought some meat.
The sparrows brought some pudding,
The blackbird brought some corn,
The topknot brought a June plum,
The chickadee a horn.
The bluebird brought a horsefly,
The meadow lark a bug,
The linnet brought a cricket,
The turtledove a slug.
The swallow brought a beetle,
The wren a little ant,
The cuckoo brought a blossom,
From off a mustard plant.
The catbird brought some berries,
The thrush his choice of weeds,
The canary and the rest,
Brought baskets full of seeds.
They gathered in the green wood,
To spread their dinner fine;
Then each one took his sweetheart,
And went with her to dine.
The feast was soon all over,
And each one with his mate
Danced to the horn of chickadee,
Until the hour was late.
Then all the birdies parted,
And each one took to flight;
But every bird was happy
When he bade his love good-night. |