The Cuckoo

by The Pentangle

From the album: Basket of Light

Track 8 of 13 on Basket of Light (1969).

Duration: 04:25

Basket of Light cover art

Lyrics for The Cuckoo

The Cuckoo is a pretty bird, she sings as she flies. She bringeth good tidings, she telleth no lies She sucketh white flowers for to keep her voice clear And she never sings "cuckoo" till summer draweth near As I once was a-walking and talking one day I met my own true love as he came that way Though the meeting him was pleasure, though the courting was woe For I've found him false hearted, he'd kiss me, and then he'd go. I wish I was a scholar and could handle the pen. I'd write to my lover and to all roving men I would tell them of the grief and woe that attend on their lies I would wish them have pity on the flower, when it dies

More from Basket of Light

  1. Light Flight
  2. Once I Had a Sweetheart
  3. Springtime Promises
  4. Lyke-Wake Dirge
  5. Train Song
  6. Hunting Song
  7. Sally Go Round the Roses
  8. The Cuckoo
  9. House Carpenter
  10. Sally Go Round the Roses (2001 Re-Recording)
  11. Sally Go Round the Roses (2001 Re-Recording (Extended Version))
  12. Cold Mountain
  13. I Saw an Angel