1.The ground was all covered with snow one day,And two little sisters were busy at play,When a snowbird was sitting close by on a tree,And merrily singing his chick-a-de-dee1.
2.He had not been singing that tune very long Ere Emily heard him,so loud was his song; "O sister,look out of the window!" said she;"Hereˊs a dear little bird singing chick-a-de-dee.
3."Poor fellow!he walks in the snow and the sleet,And has neither stockings nor shoes on his feet: I wonder what makes him so full of his glee; He’s all the time singing his chick-a-de-dee.
4."If I were a barefooted snowbird,I know,I would not stay out in the cold and the snow; I pity him so!oh,how cold he must be!
And yet he keeps singing his chick-a-de-dee.
5."O mother; do get him some stockings,and shoes,And a nice little frock,and a hat if he choose:
I wish heˊd come into the parlor,and seeHow warm we would make him,poor chick-a-de-dee!"6.The bird had.own down for some sweet crumbs of bread,And heard every word little Emily said:
"What a.gure2 I’d make in that dress" thought he,1 Chick-a-de-dee,an imitation of the notes of the snowbird. 2 Figure,shape,appearance.
And laughed as he warbled his chick-a-de-dee.
7."I am grateful," said he,"for the wish you express1,But have no occasion for such a.ne dress;I rather remain with my little limbs free,Than to hobble2 about,singing chick-a-de-dee.
8."There is One,my dear child,though I can not tell who,Has clothed me already,and warm enough,too. Good morning!Oh,who are so happy as we."And away he.ew,singing his chick-a-de-dee.
(F. C. Woodworth)