My mother probably learned it as a Girl Scout in MO. She was a GS from the time she was 7 in 1930 until her death in 1988. She sang it to me and I to my children. Always a favorite. Our version:

Baby Owlet,
Poor wee Owlet,
Crying as dawn shines above.

Baby owlet,
Poor wee owlet,
Crying as dawn shines above.

Won't you lend me your swift pinions?
Won't you lend me your swift pinions,
Won't you lend me your swift pinions,
That I may
Fly to my love.

That I may
Fly to my love.

Tequera qua, qua, qua
Tequera qua, qua, qua
Tequera qua, qua, qua
Poor wee owlet
Poor little owlet
It is tired
from crying so.