The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,
[St. Stephen's Day ]1 was caught in the furze.
Though his body is little his family's great,
Come out, lords and ladies, and give us a treat!
Chorus
Up with the kettle and down with the pan,
And give us a penny to bury the wren.

As I was going to Killenaule,
I met a wren upon the wall.
I took me stick and knocked him down,
And brought him in to Carrick Town.
Chorus
 	
Droolin, Droolin, where’s your nest?
Tis in the bush that I love best
In the tree the holly tree,
Where all the boys do follow me.
Chorus

We followed the wren three miles or more,
Three mile or more three miles or more.
We followed the wren three miles or more,
At six o'clock in the morning.
Chorus
 	
I have a little box under me arm,
Under me arm under me arm.
I have a little box under me arm,
A penny or tuppence would do it no harm.
Chorus