1. "I" said the little leatherwing bat
   "I'll tell to you the reason that
   The reason that I fly by night
   Is because I've lost my heart's delight." 
   
R: Howdy dowdy diddle-dum day
   Howdy dowdy diddle-dum day
   Howdy dowdy diddle-dum day
   Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low 
   
2. "I" said the blackbird sittin' on a chair
   "Once I courted a lady, fair.
   She proved fickle and turned her back
   And ever since then I've dressed in black." 
R: 
   
3. "I" said the woodpecker sittin' on a fence
   "Once I courted a handsome wench
   She got scared and from me fled
   And ever since then my head's been red." 
R: 
   
4. "I" said the little turtle dove
   "I'll tell you how to win her love
   Court her night and court her day
   Never give her time to say o-neigh!" 
R: 
   
5. "I" said the bluejay and away he flew
   "If I were a young man I'd have two
   If one were faithless and chanced to go
   I'd add the other string to my bow" 
R:
   
   Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low