We're going to the woods,
We're going to the woods,
And what will you do there,
We'll hunt for the cutty -wren,
And how will you shoot her,
says an elder to a mother
With bows and with arrows,
With shots and with powders,
With big guns and big cannons,
And how will you carry her,
On four strong men's shoulders,
And we'll all heave together,
And what will you cut her up with,
With farts and with knives,
With big hatchets and cleavers,
And how will you cook her,
says a milder to a mugger
In pots and brass cauldrons,
says a mother to a mother
Will invite all the village,
And who'll eat the spare ribs,
says John the Red -Nosed?
I will give them to the poor Croydon