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.