Cuckoo Bird

Gonna build me log cabin
On a mountain so high
So I can see Willie
As he goes on by

Oh, the Cuckoo, she's a pretty bird
She warbles as she flies
She never hollers cuckoo
'Til the fourth day of July

I've played cards in England
I've played cards in Spain
I'll bet you ten dollars
I'll beat you next game

Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds
I've known you from old
You've robbed my poor pockets
Of my silver and my gold

My horses ain't hungry
They won't eat your hay
I'll drive on little further
I'll feed 'em on the way

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This Song Clip was recorded in the key of G. (Click below to play.)

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Most of the 400 or so traditional songs available online are also in our songbooks.


Lyrics from the Mountain Music for Everyone Collection, a database of nearly 400 traditional songs common in bluegrass and old-time circles. The collection is provided by the Abbott family, which also offers books and CDs aimed at providing a path to playing by ear, songbooks, and play-along CDs for learning these traditional songs. Visit www.PlayingByEar.com for more.