This story comes from the Journal of the Folk-Song Society. Additional versions, plus the music, online at Hathi.
This is Roud 236. It's not exactly a chain tale, but it is fun!
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I fun' a bird's nest, says Robin-a-bob-bing,
I fun' a bird's nest, says Richard to Robin,
I fun' a bird's nest, says Billy Baloo,
I fun' a bird's nest, says every one.
What will we do wi' ut? says Robin-a-bob-bing,
What will we do wi' ut? says Richard to Robin,
What will we do wi' ut? says Billy Baloo,
What will we do wi' ut? says every one.
We'll tak' ut to keepers, says Robin-a-bob-bing,
We'll tak' ut to keepers, says Richard to Robin,
We'll tak' ut to keepers, says Billy Baloo,
We'll tak' ut to keepers, says every one.
What shall we get for it? says Robin-a-bob-bing,
What shall we get for it? says Richard to Robin,
What shall we get for it? says Billy Baloo,
What shall we get for it? says every one.
Three ha-pence a piece, says Robin-a-bob-bing,
Three ha-pence a piece, says Richard to Robin,
Three ha-pence a piece, says Billy Baloo,
Three ha-pence a piece, says every one.
What shall we do wi' ut? says Robin-a-bob-bing,
What shall we do wi' ut? says Richard to Robin,
What shall we do wi' ut? says Billy Baloo,
What shall we do wi' ut? says every one.
We'll go and get drunk, says Robin-a-bob-bing,
We'll go and get drunk, says Richard to Robin,
We'll go and get drunk, says Billy Baloo,
We'll go and get drunk, says every one.
How shall we get home? says Robin-a-bob-bing,
How shall we get home? says Richard to Robin,
How shall we get home? says Billy Baloo,
How shall we get home? says every one.
We'll hire a cab, says Robin-a-bob-bing,
We'll hire a cab, says Richard to Robin,
We'll hire a cab, says Billy Baloo,
We'll hire a cab, says every one.
How shall we get in? says Robin-a-bob-bing,
How shall we get in? says Richard to Robin,
How shall we get in? says Billy Baloo,
How shall we get in? says every one.
We'll tumble in, says Robin-a-bob-bing,
We'll tumble in, says Richard to Robin,
We'll tumble in, says Billy Baloo,
We'll tumble in, says every one.
How shall we get out? says Robin-a-bob-bing,
How shall we get out? says Richard to Robin,
How shall we get out? says Billy Baloo,
How shall we get out? says every one.
Same way we got in, says Robin-a-bob-bing,
Same way we got in, says Richard to Robin,
Same way we got in, says Billy Baloo,
Same way we got in, says every one.
NOTES
2. Sung by Mr. Walter H. Birch, who learnt it from a Yorkshireman.
The second version was given to me by my brother-in-law, who heard it sun at Downton College by a fellow-student from Yorkshire. Cecil J. Sharp
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