[Verse 1]
What did you kill your dear little brother for?
O my boy, come now tell it unto me
For the killing of three little dicky birds
That flew from tree to tree

[Verse 2]
What will you do with your houses and your land?
O my boy, come now tell it unto me
I will let them stand, till they fall down
For here no more can I be

[Verse 3]
What will you leave your dear little sister now?
O my boy, come now tell it unto me
I will leave her a rope to hang herself
On yonder high tree

[Verse 4]
What will you do when your father, he comes home?
O my boy, come now tell it unto me
I will place my foot on board of a ship
And will sail to a far country

[Verse 5]
When will I see your dear, dear, dear face again?
O my boy, come now tell it unto me
Never 'til the sun sets in yonder high tree
And that will never, never be
[Refrain]
And that will never, never be
And that will never, never be

[Instrumental]

[Outro]
And that will never, never be
And that will never, never be
And that will never, never be
And that will never, never be
And that will never, never be
And that will never, never be