The Poor Little Chick-a-dees
TEN little chick-a-dees clinging to a vine,--
A speckled snake charmed one, then there were but NINE.
NINE little chick-a-dees,--one without a mate,--
A Sparrow-hawk caught one, then there were but EIGHT.
EIGHT little chick-a dees, by a 'possum driven,--
He caught one and slaughtered it, then there were but SEVEN.
SEVEN little chick-a-dee
hopping round the ricks,--
A Weasel came and captured one, then there were but six.
SIX little chick-a-dees watching Rover dive,--
He sprang ashore and seized one, then there were but FIVE.
FIVE little chick-a-dees pecking at the door,
Kitty-cat caught one, then there were but FOUR.
FOUR little chick-a-dees full of birdy glee,
One was tangled in a net, then there were but THREE.
THREE little chick-a-dees dabbling in the dew,
A stone fell and crushed one, then there were but TWO.
TWO little chick-a-dees peeping just for fun,
A hungry Kite caught one, then there was but ONE.
ONE little chick-a-dee, mourning all alone,
Flew away to find a mate, and then there was NONE,