Standard (EADGBE)

"Hi," said the little leatherwing bat,

 "I'll tell you the reason that,

 The reason that I fly by night,

 Is because I lost my heart's delight."

Chorus

Howdy dowdy diddle um-day,

Howdy dowdy diddle um-day,

 Howdy dowdy diddle um-day,

Hey li-lee lee-lye li-lo.

"Hi," said the blackbird, sitting 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."

(Repeat Chorus)

"Hi," said the woodpecker, sitting 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."

(Repeat Chorus)

"Hi," 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 oh nay."

(Repeat Chorus)

"Hi," 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 have the other stringed to my bow."

Chorus

Howdy dowdy diddle um-day,

Howdy dowdy diddle um-day,

 Howdy dowdy diddle um-day,

Hey li-lee lee-lye li,Hey li-lee lee-lye li-lo.