The Song of the Snow Bird

by T.S. Arthur

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.

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.