death & burial of c. r.

who killed cock robin?

i

said the sparrow

with my bow and arrow

i killed cock robin

who saw him die?

i

said the fly

with my little eye

i saw him die

who caught his blood?

i

said the fish

with my little dish

i caught his blood

who'll make the shroud?

i

said the beetle

with my thread and needle

i'll make the shroud

who'll dig his grave?

i

said the owl

who'll be the parson?

i

said the rook

with my little book

i'll be the parson

who'll be the clerk?

i

said the lark

if it's not in the dark

i'll be the clerk

who'll carry the link?

i

said the linnet

i'll fetch it in a minute

i'll carry the link

who'll be chief mourner?

i

said the dove

i mourn for my love

i'll be chief mourner

who'll carry the coffin?

i

said the kite

if it's not through the night

i'll carry the coffin

who'll bear the pall?

i

said the wren

both the cock and the hen

we'll bear the pall

who'll sing a psalm?

i

said the thrush

as she sat on a bush

i'll sing a psalm

who'll toll the bell?

i said the bull

because i can pull

i'll toll the bell

all the birds of the air

fell a-sighing and a-sobbing

when they heard the bell toll

for poor cock robin.