There came a gentleman up to the castle

There came a gentleman up to the castle,

riding on a handsome horse,

(Cuckoo, cuckoo!)

The woman peeps out of the window

and says, "My husband is not home,

and no one is here but my children,

and the maid is at her washing!"

The gentleman on his horse

says to the woman in the castle:

(Cuckoo, cuckoo!)

"Are they good children, or are they naughty children?

Ah, dear woman, tell me quickly!"

(Cuckoo, cuckoo!)

"In my pocket, for obedient children,

I have there many presents."

(Cuckoo, cuckoo!)

The woman says: "Very naughty children!

They don't obey their mother quickly;

they're naughty, they're naughty!"

Then the gentleman says: "Then I will ride home,

for I have nothing to give these children!"

(Cuckoo, cuckoo!)

And he rides his horse

far, far away from the castle!

(Cuckoo, cuckoo!)