Makes my nervous system bristle

As he tries to sing or whistle

That atrocious and absurd "Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay!"

So I sit in the seclusion of my room-de-ay,

And deny myself to all—no matter whom-de-ay—

For I dread a creature coming

Whose involuntary humming

May assume the fatal form, "Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay!"

Oh, I fear that when the Summer roses bloom-de-ay,

You will read upon a well-appointed tomb-de ay:—