I br I cling and swing br On a branch, or sing br Through the cool, clear hush of Morning, O! br Or fling my wing br On the air, and bring br To sleepier birds a warning, O! br That the night's in flight, br And the sun's in sight, br And the dew is the grass adorning, O! br And the green leaves swing br As I sing, sing, sing, br Up by the river, br Down the dell, br To the little wee nest, br Where the big tree fell, br So early in the morning, O! br br II br I flit and twit br In the sun for a bit br When his light so bright is shining, O! br Or sit and fit br My plumes, or knit br Straw plaits for the nest's nice lining, O! br And she with glee br Shows unto me br Underneath her wings reclining, O! br br And I sing that Peg br Has an egg, egg, egg, br Up by the oat-field, br Round by the mill, br Past the meadow, br Down the hill, br So early in the morning, O! br br III br I stoop and swoop br On the air, or loop br Through the trees, and then go soaring, O! br To group with a troop br On the gusty poop br While the wind behind is roaring, O! br I skim and swim br By a cloud's red rim br And up to the azure flooring, O! br And my wide wings drip br As I slip, slip, slip, br Down through the rain-drops, br Back where Peg br Broods in the nest br On the little white egg, br So early in the morning, O!br br James Stephensbr br