It was a bird upon a bough
That sang to me
This very song that I do now
Make all to see:
"Chirp chirp tu-whit tu-whoo tu-whee
How jocund is my harmony
I sit me here upon a stick
And wail my wanton melody
Then flick
Away, elsewhere to be.

But ere I fly I say with truth
For all to heed
That all the songs I pipe are sooth.
How like a reed
Chirp chirp tu-whit tu-whee tu-whoo
I bleateth to the woodis newe
Much like a lamb high in a knelm
Or birch or maple, for you to
O'erwhelm
With singing that is true.

My true and noble prophecies
This world must bless,
Must bring the high-born to their knees
In lowliness
With chirp tu-whoo tu-whee tu-whit
My sagest wisdoms flow and flit,
Proclaiming all are equal, yay,
That all upon the rich shall spit
One day
And mock their snivelling fit.

Pray, listen to my song of truth,
As if 'twere honey,
And seek not after that uncouth
Green bitch called money,
but sing tu-whit tu-whoo tu-whee
As if thou wert a bird like me
Perched high and noble-throated, crooning
Out lauds for total poverty
Whilst mooning
All those that have more goods than we."