Guitar/song examples/Campfire Diploma/The Cockoo
The Cuckoo
editOld English folk song (before 1800) – Alternative title: "The Coo-Coo", "The Coo-Coo Bird", "The Cuckoo Bird", "The Cuckoo Is A Pretty Bird" etc., Text and melody: trad. in a version by Mjchael, arranged by Mjchael
- Guitar
- Ukulele (adf#h)
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This song has been interpreted countless times in many text versions. It is usually sung about a fickle lover who is just as unreliable (literally fickle) as a cuckoo.
In the USA, a gambler is something of a prime example of an unreliable lover. It is therefore not surprising that the verses have been rearranged accordingly. In the version presented here, the story of a gambler whose luck has run out is retold. Joan Baez, Donovan, Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary are just some of the many performers. The melody is always sung slightly differently from performer to performer. Some even vary the melody from verse to verse. Therefore, only a very simplified form is shown here.
- Chorus
Oh the [Em]cuckoo she'a pretty bird,
She [D]wobbles as she [Em]flies,
She don't [Em]never holler cuckoo,
'Til the [D]fourth day of [Em]July.
- 1st
Gonna build me log cabin, on the [D] mountain so [Em]high,
So that I can see Willie, As [D]he goes on [Em]by.
- 2nd
Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds, I [D]know you of [Em]old
You done robbed my poor pockets, of my [D]silver and [Em]gold.
- 3th
I've gambled in England, and I've [D]gambled down in [Em]Spain.
I bet you ten dollars, I'll [D]beat you [Em]again
- 4th
I gambled with five aces, now I've [D]gambled my last [Em]game.
Oh, it's gamblin' that's brought me prison, and the [D]gamblin' brought me [Em]pain
- 5th
In the cell I'm godforsaken, and I'm [D]wasting all my [Em]time
Here I'll never see a cuckoo or [D]hear her song [Em]again
