[Verse 1]
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 a year
And sings of my false love in a voice true and clear

[Verse 2]
A-walkin' and a-talkin', a-walkin' goes I
To meet my false lover and hear him deny
But if I'm forsaken I am not forsworn
And he's surely mistaken to think I shall mourn

[Verse 3]
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

[Verse 4]
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 is all mighty light
To walk and talk together from evenin' 'til nigh