Standard (EADGBE)

Three maidens a milking did go

Three maidens a milking did go

And the wind it did blow high, and the wind it did blow low

It tossed their petticoats to and fro

They met with some young man they know

They met with some young man they know

And they boldly ask-ed him, if he had any skill

To catch them a small bird or two

Oh yes I've a very good skill

Oh yes I've a very good skill

And it's come along with me, to yonder flowering tree

And I'll catch a small bird or two

So it’s off to the green woods went they

And it's off to the green woods went they

And he tapped at the bush, and the bird it did fly in

A little above her lily white knee

Her sparkling eyes they did turn around

Just as if she had been all in a swoon

And she cried "I've a bird, and a very pretty bird

And he's pecking away at his own ground"

Instrumental

Here's a health to the bird in the bush

Here's a health to the bird in the bush

And we'll drink up the sun, we'll drink down the moon

Let the people say little or much

There is a thorn bush in our cale yard

There is a thorn bush in our cale yard

At the back o'thorn bush there lays a lad and lass

And they're busy busy fairing at the cuckoo's nest

Hi the cuckoo, ho the cuckoo, hi the cuckoo's nest

Hi the cuckoo, ho the cuckoo, hi the cuckoo's nest

I'd give anybody a shilling and a bottle of the best

That'll rumple up the feathers in the cuckoo's nest

It is thorn and it is prickle, it is compassed all around

It is thorn and it is prickle, and it isn't easy found

She said “young man you blunder” and I said it isn't true

And I left her with the makings of a young cuckoo

Hi the cuckoo, ho the cuckoo, hi the cuckoo's nest

Hi the cuckoo, ho the cuckoo, hi the cuckoo's nest

That'll rumple up the feathers ^in the cuckoo's nest.