In meadows where the ripened grain

In golden stacks awaits the flail.

A little tuft of feathers grey

That snaps its bill in eager glee

When e’er a fly is caught on wing,

Full forty times calls out Phoebe.

When fragrant dews fall from the sky—

And sinks the sun behind the hill,

From dark’ning woods rings out the cry,

O Whip poor Will—O Whip poor Will.