Read these lyrics in A.L. Lloyd's 'Folk Song In England' book. I had a search on Digitrad, and the lyrics didn't seem to be there.

Does anyone know a tune to go with it? Any recorded versions?

The Pelican

As I was a-walking down by a wilderness,

There was I assaulted by many wild beasts

And there did I hear a bird making her moan,

That the young ones had fled and gone far from their home.

Then she followed me down to the yonder green grove,

And searched for those young ones that had all gone from home

And when she had found them, how so sad were they

And cold was the harbour wherein they did lay.

Then she took them safe home all at her own breast

And she fed them with some dillon and food of the best

And she spared them some blood that came from her own breast

And she bid them drink freely and leave home no more.