The empty bottles stood br Upon the edge of the doorstep, br A little handwritten note beneath one of them br That read: 'No milk today.' br br The milkman came at his usual time br And collected the bottles in one hand, br And placed them all within a crate br Then climbed inside his float. br br The blue tits had gathered in the trees br And there they waited forlornly, br For their daily meal of cream br Then flew away so far. br br The milkman's note blew on the wind br Along the path to every house, br And every street upon his route br Until he came no more.