ON sunset rock there perched a bird,
          A chattering magpie jay.
One cadence brief alone was heard
          This day so gay in May.
The wind was soft, my brain most clear,
          The owl cut out its hoot.
Sweet dulcet chirps regaled my ear,
          The magpie said, "Quack toot,
                   Quack toot."
          The magpie said, "Quack toot."

Far down the clove I see a grove
          Close to the town of Sarket.
The well-tanned rustic drives his drove
          Of nanny goats to market.
I raise the trumpet to my lips;
          The blast shakes twig and root.
The mountains echo from their tips.
          The magpie said, "Quack toot,
                   Quack toot."
          The magpie said, "Quack toot."

Beyond the clove of Catskill
          The stars and stripes wave out
Before the school of Palenville.
          Oh, hear the children shout.
The teacher waves the switch around
          And says, "Get out, skip, scoot,
You brats, or else I'll spank you sound."
          The magpie said, "Quack toot,
                   Quack toot."
          The magpie said, "Quack toot."

Far up the hill behold a skunk;
          He seems to be all smell.
My brain doth twist, I'm all kerflunk,
          I'm in the mud, Oh, Hell!
What shall I do, I'm sinking fast,
          Look! look! I've lost one boot.
I'm safe across the bog at last.
          The magpie said, "Quack toot,
                   Quack toot."
          The magpie said, "Quack toot."

The old grey tower on the shelf
          Of rock presents its clock
To view. I fear some sportive elf
          Has cast its spell to lock
Remembrance of my long-lost boot.
          I find the boot; I hoot.
An echo answers, "Ain't he cute."
          The magpie said, "Quack toot,
                   Quack toot."
The magpie said, "Quack toot."

I started home with pensive gait
          Across the muddy bog.
I felt just like some poor cheapskate
          Belated like a frog
Forgetful of its tadpole, while
          I stopped to nibble fruit
That would not rile my rising bile.
          The magpie said, "Quack toot,
                   Quack toot."
          The magpie said, "quack toot."

'Twas getting near my dinner time.
          I quickly made a dash
Across the slime, the mud, the grime,
          For fear I'd lose my hash.
The fish horn sounded, hear it blend
          And mingle its salute,
Yes, jingle with my feathered friend.
          The magpie said, "Quack toot,
                   Quack toot."
          The magpie said, "Quack toot."

Oh, see the flames, the burning chips
          Where playful laughing kiddies,
With gleeful childish smiling lips
          Singe headless chickabiddies.
When hark! that sound, it is the same,
          A cadence like a flute,
As through the flame a murmur came.
          The magpie said, "Quack toot,
                   Quack toot."
          The magpie said, "Quack toot."

That night, while half asleep, I heard
          A toot that sounded like
My little friend the pretty bird.
          I thought I still did hike
Across the meadow by the lake,
          When pipe! sweet as a lute
I heard the voice I love (no fake).
          The magpie said, "Quack toot,
                   Quack toot."
          The magpie said, "Quack toot."

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