I said, the little leatherwing bat
I?ll tell to you the reason that
The reason that I fly by night
Is because I've lost my heart?s delight

Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low

I said, the blackbird sittin? on a chair
Once I courted a lady, fair
She proved fickle and turned her back
And ever since then I've dressed in black

Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low

I said the woodpecker sittin? on a fence
Once I courted a handsome wench
She got scared and from me fled
And ever since then my head?s been red

Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low

I said, the little turtle dove
I?ll tell you how to win her love
Court her night and court her day
Never give her time to say o-neigh!

Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low

I said, the bluejay and away he flew
If I were a young man I?d have two
If one were faithless and chanced to go
I?d add the other string to my bow

Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low

Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low

Copyright: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Writer(s): Noel Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow