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 asked 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 greenwood went they
And it's off to the greenwood went they
And he's tapped at the bush and the bird it did fly in
A little above their 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”

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
I'd give anybody a shilling and a bottle of the best
That'll rumple up the feathers in the cuckoo's nest