A Book of Nursery Songs and Rhymes/Robin Redbreast and Jenny Wren
XLVIII. ROBIN REDBREAST AND JENNY WREN
'Twas once upon a time
When Jenny Wren was young,
So daintily she danced
And so prettily she sung;
Robin Redbreast lost his heart,
For he was a gallant bird;
So he doffed his hat to Jenny Wren,
Requesting to be heard.
'O dearest Jenny Wren,
If you will but be mine,
You shall feed on cherry-pie,
You shall drink red currant wine;
I'll dress you as a goldfinch,
As any peacock gay;
So dearest Jen if you'll be mine,
Let us appoint the day.'
Jenny blushed behind her fan,
And thus declared her mind:
'Since, dearest Bob, I love you,
I take your offer kind;
Cherry-pie is very nice,
And so is currant wine;
But I must wear my plain brown gown,
And never go too fine.'
Robin Redbreast rose betimes,
All at the break of day,
He flew to Jenny Wren's house,
And sang a roundelay.
He sang of Robin Redbreast,
And little Jenny Wren;
And when he came unto the end,
He then began again.