The Cutty Wren

"Where are we going?" says Milder to Melder.
"Where are we going?" says the younger to the elder.
"We may not tell you," says vassal to foe.
"Away to the green wood!" says John the Red Nose.

"What shall we do there?"
"What shall we do there?"
"We may not tell you,"
"Hunt for the Cutty Wren!"

"How shall we shoot her?"
"With bows and with arrows,"
"That will not do, then,"
"With big guns and with cannon!"

"How shall we fetch her home?"
"On four strong men's shoulders,"
"That will not do, then,"
"In oxcarts and in wagons!"

"How shall we cut her up?"
"With forks and with knives,"
"That will not do, then,"
"With hatchets and with cleavers!"

"How shall we cook her?"
"In pots and in kettles,"
"That will not do, then,"
"In a bloody great brass cauldron!"

"Who'll get the spare ribs?"
"Who'll get the spare ribs?"
"We may not tell you,"
"We'll give 'em all to the poor!"