“Hi” said the little leatherwing bat
“I’ll tell you the reason that
The reason that I fly by night
Because I lost my heart’s delight”

Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Hey dee lee dee lie dee lo

“Hi” said the owl in the dead of night
“A lonesome day and a lonesome night
Thought I heard a pretty girl say
I'd dance all night but I sleep the next day”

Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Hey dee lee dee lie dee lo

“Hi” said the woodpecker sittin’ on a bench
'Once I courted a handsome wench
She got scared and from me fled
Ever since then I’ve dressed in red'

Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Hey dee lee dee lie dee lo

“Hi” said the black bird sittin’ on a chair
“Once I courted a lady fair
She got fickle and turned her back
And ever since then I’ve dressed in black”

Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Hey dee lee dee lie dee lo

“Hi” said the little turtledove
“I’ll tell you how to win your love
Court her night and court her day
Never give her a chance to say you nay”

Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Hey dee lee dee lie dee lo

“Hi” said the blue bird as he flew
“If I had a young wife I’d have two
If one got tired and wanted to go
I’d have a new string for my bow”

Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Hey dee lee dee lie dee lo

“Hi’” said the jay bird sittin’ in the tree
“When I was a young man I had three
Two got saucy and then took flight
The one that’s left don’t treat me right”

Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Hey dee lee dee lie dee lo

Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Howdy dowdy diddle um day
Hey dee lee dee lie dee lo