Robert of Lincoln

Merrily swinging on briar and weed,Near to the nest of his little dame,Over the mountain-side or mead,Robert of Lincoln is telling his name:Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,Spink, spank, spink;Snug and safe is that nest of ours,Hidden among the summer flowers.Chee, chee, chee.

Robert of Lincoln is gaily drost,Wearing a bright black wedding coat;White are his shoulders and white his crest,Hear him call in his merry note:Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,Spink, spank, spink;Look, what a nice new coat is mine,Sure there was never a bird so fine.Chee, chee, chee.

Robert of Lincoln's Quaker wife,Pretty and quiet, with plain brown wings,Passing at home a patient life,Broods in the grass while her husband sings:Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,Spink, spank, spink;Brood, kind creature; you need not fearThieves and robbers while I am here.Chee, chee, chee.

Modest and shy as a nun is she;One weak chirp is her only note.Braggart and prince of braggarts is he,Pouring boasts from his little throat:Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,Spink, spank, spink;Never was I afraid of man;Catch me, cowardly knaves, if you can.Chee, chee, chee.

Six white eggs on a bed of hay,Flecked with purple, a pretty sight!There as the mother sits all day,Robert is singing with all his might:Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,Spink, spank, spink;Nice, good wife, that never goes out,Keeping house while I frolic about.Chee, chee, chee.

Soon as the little ones chip the shellSix wide mouths are open for food;Robert of Lincoln bestirs him well,Gathering seeds for the hungry brood.Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,Spink, spank, spink;This new life is likely to beHard for a gay young fellow like me.Chee, chee, chee.

Robert of Lincoln at length is madeSober with work, and silent with care:Off is his holiday garment laid,Half forgotten that merry air,Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,Spink, spank, spink;Nobody knows but my mate and IWhere our nest and our nestlings lie.Chee, chee, chee.

Summer wanes; the children are grown;Fun and frolic no more he knows;Robert of Lincoln's a hundrum crone;Off he flies, and we sing as he goes:Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,Spink, spank, spink;When you can pipe that merry old strain,Robert of Lincoln, come back again.Chee, chee, chee.