Linda McRae - Four & Twenty Blackbirds

Four & Twenty Blackbirds (Linda McRae)

Who momma who

is the old woman living in a shoe?

so many children she doesn’t know what to do

who momma who?

she feeds them broth but hasn’t any bread

she whips them soundly, sends them to bed

doesn’t she love her babies like you do?

Who is she momma? Who?



What momma what

makes the wind blow in the treetop?

when the wind blows the cradle will rock

what momma what?

when the bough breaks the cradle will fall

down will come baby, cradle and all

what makes the wind blow why doesn’t it stop?

What is it momma? What?



Where momma where

shall I wander because someone’s waiting there?

In his lady’s chamber up and down the stairs

where momma where?

he met an old man who wouldn’t say his prayers

he took him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs

I don’t like these stories they're making me scared

Where is he momma? Where?



Why momma why

were 4 and 20 blackbirds baked in a pie?

sing a song of sixpence and a pocket full of rye

why momma why?

When the pie was opened and the birds began to sing

wasn’t that a dainty dish to set before the king

but when the pie was opened I know I would have cried

wouldn’t they have died? Why?

Wouldn’t they have died? Momma why?