[Verse 1]

What did you kill your dear little brother for?

O my boy, come now tell it unto me

For the killing of three little dicky birds

That flew from tree to tree

[Verse 2]

What will you do with your houses and your land?

O my boy, come now tell it unto me

I will let them stand, till they fall down

For here no more can I be

[Verse 3]

What will you leave your dear little sister now?

O my boy, come now tell it unto me

I will leave her a rope to hang herself

On yonder high tree

[Verse 4]

What will you do when your father, he comes home?

O my boy, come now tell it unto me

I will place my foot on board of a ship

And will sail to a far country

[Verse 5]

When will I see your dear, dear, dear face again?

O my boy, come now tell it unto me

Never 'til the sun sets in yonder high tree

And that will never, never be

[Refrain]

And that will never, never be

And that will never, never be

[Instrumental]

[Outro]

And that will never, never be

And that will never, never be

And that will never, never be

And that will never, never be

And that will never, never be

And that will never, never be