1.Merrily swinging on brier and weed,Near tthe nest of his little dame,Over the mountain side or mead,Robert of Lincoln is telling his name: "Bobolink,bobolink,Spink,spank,spink.Snug and safe is that nest of ours. Hidden among the summer flowers.Chee,chee,chee."
2.Robert of Lincoln is gaily dressed,Wearing a bright black wedding coat:White are his shoulders,and white his crest,Hear him call in his merry note:"Bobolink,bobolink,Spink,spank,spink,Look what a nice new coat is mine;Sure,there was never a bird sfine.Chee,chee,chee."
3.Robert of Lincoln's Quaker wife,Pretty and quiet,with plain brown wings,Passing at home a patient life,Broods in the grass while her husband sings: "Bobolink,bobolink,Spink,spank,spink,Brood,kind creature;you need not fear Thieves and robbers while I am here.
Chee,chee,chee."
4.Modest and shy as a nun is she,One weak chirp is her only note;Braggart and prince of braggarts is he,Pouring boasts from his little throat:"Bobolink,Bobolink,Spink,spank,spink,Never was I afraid of man,Catch me,cowardly knaves,if you can.Chee,chee,chee."
5.Six white eggs on a bed of hay,Flecked with purple,a pretty sight!There as the mother sits all day,Robert is singing with all his might: "Bobolink,bobolink,Spink,spank,spink,Nice good wife that never goes out,Keeping house while I frolic about.Chee,chee,chee."
6.Soon as the little ones chip the shell,Six wide mouths are open for food;Robert of Lincoln bestirs him well,Gathering seeds for the hungry brood."Bobolink,bobolink,Spink,spank,spink,This new life is likely tbe.Hard for a gay young fellow like me.Chee,chee,chee."
7.Robert of Lincoln at length is made Sober with work,and silent with care;Off is his holiday garment laid,Half forgotten that merry air:"Bobolink,bobolink,Spink,spank,spink,Nobody knows but my mate and I Where our nest and our nestlings lie.Chee,chee,chee."
8.Summer wanes;the children are grown;Fun and frolic nmore he knows;Robert of Lincoln's a humdrum crone;Off he flies,and we sing as he goes:
"Bobolink,bobolink,Spink,spank,spink,When you can pipe that merry old strain,Robert of Lincoln,come back again.Chee,chee,chee."-William Cullen Bryant.
