THE CUCKOO
Album : "Doc Watson & Clarence Asley: The Original Recordings 1960-1962" 
(Clarence Ashley)

Tom Rush - 60's
Also recorded by : The Grateful Dead (1962); Peter, Paul, & Mary;
Janis Joplin (with Big Brother & the Holding Co.); Rory Gallagher.


Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird 
And she warbles as she flies 
But she never holler cuckoo 
'Til the 4th day of July 

Jack of diamonds, Jack of diamonds, 
Well I've known you of old 
Well you've robbed my poor pockets 
Of the silver and the gold 

Well I'm goin' up up on the mountain, 
I' m gonna build me a still 
And I'll sell you one gallon, 
For a two-dollar bill 

Well, I'll eat when I'm hungry 
And I'll drink when I'm dry 
If some woman don't shoot me 
Then I'll live 'til I die 

Well for workin' I'm too lazy 
And beggin' that's too low
Well train robbin' that's to dangerous 
So a-gamblin' Ill go

Well the cuckoo she's a pretty bird, 
And she warbles when she flies
Well she brings us glad tidings
Yes, she tells us no lies 



(Contributed by Nancy - February 2004)