The Cuckoo
Whiskey Hills and Cuckoo Thrills: A Tale of Love and Larceny
Lyrics
Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
Expressing admiration for the cuckoo, describing it as a pretty bird.
And she warbles as she flies
Highlighting the bird's song as it flies.
And she never holler cuckoo
Noting that the cuckoo doesn't make its distinctive sound until the 4th of July.
'Til the 4th day of July
Suggesting a delayed or special occurrence associated with the cuckoo's call.
Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds
Referring to the Jack of Diamonds, possibly a metaphor for someone known for a long time.
Well, I've known you of old
Acknowledging familiarity with the Jack of Diamonds.
Well, you've robbed my poor pockets
Accusing the Jack of Diamonds of taking money (silver and gold) from the speaker.
Of the silver and the gold
Expressing the impact of financial loss caused by the Jack of Diamonds.
I'm goin' up up on a mountain
Announcing the intention to go up a mountain to build a whiskey still.
I' m gonna build me a whiskey still
Stating the specific purpose of building a whiskey still.
And I'll sell you one bottle
Declaring the intent to sell whiskey for a high price.
For a twenty dollar-bill
Specifying the price of one bottle of whiskey.
I'm going up upon a hillside
Repeating the intention to go up, this time upon a hillside.
And I'm gonna stand lookin' down
Describing the act of standing and observing from a hillside.
So I can see my little baby
Expressing the desire to see the speaker's baby while standing on the hillside.
Whenever she is walking around
Highlighting the importance of observing the baby's movements.
Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
Reiterating the admiration for the cuckoo's beauty and song.
And she warbles as she flies
Emphasizing the positive attributes of the cuckoo.
Well, she brings us glad tidings
Attributing positive qualities to the cuckoo, suggesting it brings good news.
And she never tells no lies
Asserting the honesty of the cuckoo, implying it doesn't lie.
Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds
Repeating the reference to the Jack of Diamonds, emphasizing its negative traits.
You're the meanest card I know
Labeling the Jack of Diamonds as the meanest card known to the speaker.
Well, you robbed my poor pockets
Reiterating the accusation of the Jack of Diamonds robbing the speaker.
And you nearly stole my soul
Expressing the profound impact of the Jack of Diamonds' actions on the speaker's soul.
Well, I'll eat when I'm hungry
Declaring a simple approach to life—eating when hungry and drinking when thirsty.
And I'll drink when I'm dry
Stating a straightforward approach to addressing basic needs.
And if some woman don't shoot me
Acknowledging the potential threat posed by a woman, humorously suggesting it could be fatal.
Then I'll live a long time
Expressing the hope for a long life if not confronted by a woman with harmful intent.
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