The cuckoo calis in Maytime, 
         (Cuckool Cuckool)
You'll hear it in your playtime,
         (Cuckool Cuckoo!)
So count his cuckoos over,
         And then you will discover
The years before your lover
         Will marry you.

The sound of cuckoo calling
         (Cuckoo! Cuckoo!)
Comes through the blossom falling
         (Cuckoo! Cuckoo!)
Across the meadow clover
         He tells me four times over:
Tis four years ere your lover
         Will marry you"

Away, you joy-dispeller,
         (Cuckool Cuckool)
You wicked story-teller,
         (Cuckool Cuckoo!)
My secret you'll discover
         Before the week is over,
For then I'll wed my lover,
         A-ha! Cuckoo!