SONG OF THE
SNOW-BIRD.
I.
The ground was all cover’d with
snow one day,
And two little sisters were busy at play,
When a snow-bird was sitting close by
on a tree,
And merrily singing his chick-a-de-de,
Chick-a-de-de, Chick-a-de-de,
And merrily singing his chick-a-de-de.
[Illustration: THE SISTERS AND THE SNOW-BIRD]
II.
He had not been singing that tune very
long,
Ere Emily heard him, so loud was his song.—
“O sister! look out of the window,”
said she;
“Here’s a dear little bird,
singing chick-a-de-de.
Chick-a-de-de,
&c.
III.
“Poor fellow! he walks in the snow
and the sleet,
And has neither stockings nor shoes on
his feet;
I pity him so! how cold he must be!
And yet he keeps singing his chick-a-de-de.
Chick-a-de-de,
&c.
IV.
“If I were a barefooted snow-bird,
I know
I would not stay out in the cold and the
snow.—
I wonder what makes him so full of his
glee;
He’s all the time singing that chick-a-de-de.
Chick-a-de-de,
&c.
V.
“O mother! do get him some stockings
and shoes,
And a nice little frock, and a hat, if
he choose;
I wish he’d come into the parlor,
and see
How warm we would make him, poor chick-a-de-de.”
Chick-a-de-de,
&c.
VI.
The bird had flown down for some pieces
of bread,
And heard every word little Emily said;
“How queer I would look hi that dress!”
thought he;
And he laughed, as he warbled his chick-a-de-de.
Chick-a-de-de,
&c.
VII.
“I’m grateful,” he said,
“for the wish you express,
But I’ve no occasion for such a
fine dress;
I had rather remain with my limbs all
free,
Than to hobble about, singing chick-a-de-de.
Chick-a-de-de,
&c.
VIII.
“There is ONE, my dear child, tho’
I cannot tell who,
Has clothed me already, and warm enough too—
Good morning! O, who are so happy as we?”—
And away he went, singing his chick-a-de-de.
Chick-a-de-de,
&c.
