Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird, She warbles as she flies But I never give her water 'til the fourth day of July. It is often that I wonder Why women love men And I look back and I wonder Why men are men Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird, She warbles as she flies But I never give her water 'til the fourth day of July. Gonna build me a castle On a mountain so high So I can see my true love As she passes by Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird, She warbles as she flies But I never give her water 'til the fourth day of July. Jack o' diamonds, jack o' diamonds, I know you of old You have robbed me of my poor pockets Of silver and gold. Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird, She warbles as she flies But I never give her water 'til the fourth day of July. I've gambled in England, And I've gambled down in Spain. I gambled with five aces, Now I've gambled my last game. Oh, it's gamblin' that's brought me prison, And it's gamblin' that's brought me pain I'll never see the cuckoo Or hear her song again Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird, She warbles as she flies But I never give her water 'til the fourth day of July