American Old Time Song Lyrics: 46 A Bird In The Hand

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 46

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A BIRD IN THE HAND.
Copyright, 1891, by Francis, Day & Hunter.
Words and Music by Joseph Tabrar.

I once heard my dear mother say 'twas wicked to be poor,
And that possession was at least a good nine points in law;
So, as the first young man I had endeavored to deceive,
I exercised the practice which I'd been taught to believe:

Chorus.
A bird in the hand's worth two in the bush at any time,
A bird in the hand's worth two in the bush at any time;
He bought me a diamond ring-well, you can understand.
He had the bird in the bush and I had the ring on my hand.

When quite a mite my dad taught me to say things off by heart,
Amongst which was, "When racing, see you always get a start."
Right to his ev'ry letter, I have acted my life through,
Remembering dad's advice when I took sweetheart number two:

Chorus.
A bird in the hand's worth two in the hush at any time,
A bird in the hand's worth two in the bush at any time;
He bought me a sealskin coat, the "tecs "were on his track,
He had the bird in the bush and I had the coat on my back.

"As early birds catch early worms," Ma said one afternoon;
"In case you may get caught, my darling, never rise too soon."
The following day I 'rose at ten and met a little Joss,
Then, hearing he was extra rich, I caught his eye, because-

Chorus.
A bird in the hand's worth two in the bush at any time,
A bird in the hand's worth two in the bush at any time;
He bought me a pony and trap, and when we had to part.
He had the bird in the bush and I had the pony and cart.

I gave up courting for the time, then made another start
With Mister Jones, who played me for his money or his heart.
We played at cards; the idea was that there should be no "spoof;"
If he won I became his wife, thinks I besides he's "off."

Chorus.
A bird in the hand's worth two in the bush at any time,
A bird in the hand's worth two in the bush at any time;
I won a terrible lot-well, more than you'd believe -
He had the Jack and the King and I had the Ace up my sleeve.
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