Last year, as a birthday present, I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of Irish Songs and Ballads by Alfred P. Graves printed in 1880. Graves enlarged on the two verses that Bunting collected to produce this version of the song.........
MY BONNY CUCKOO
My bonny cuckoo come whisper true Around the world I'd rove with you I'd rove with you until next Spring And still my cuckoo would sweetly sing Cuckoo, cuckoo until next Spring Cuckoo, cuckoo until next Spring
The ash and the hazel shall mourning say, My bonny cuckoo, don't fly away; The winter wind is rude and keen Oh, cuckoo, stay and keep us green Cuckoo, cuckoo, Oh stay! Oh stay! And make the season forever May
The thrush and the robin shall sadly cry Oh bonny cuckoo, Oh do not fly For when you spread your speckled wing We have no longer heart to sing Cuckoo, cuckoo still lead our tune And make the season forever June
The lads and the lasses together stand And call the cuckoo from off the strand "How can you leave us bird of love With the green below and the blue above Oh no! Oh no! you shall not go With the blue above and the green below"