AUTUMN TO MAY

Oh, once I had a little dog, his color it was brown,
I taught him how to whistle, to sing and dance and run. 
His legs they were fourteen yards long, his ears so very wide,
Around the world in half a day, upon him I would ride. 
Sing tarry-o-day, sing autumn to May.

Oh, once I had a little frog, he wore a vest of red,
He leaned upon a silver cane, a top hat on his head. 
He’d speak of far off places, of things to see and do,
And all the kings and queens he’d met while sailing in a shoe. 
Sing tarry-o-day, sing autumn to May.

Oh, once I had a flock of sheep, they grazed upon a feather,
I’d keep them in a music box from wind or rainy weather,
And everyday the sun would shine, they’d fly all through the town,
To bring me back some golden rings and candy by the pound. 
Sing tarry-o-day, sing autumn to May.

Oh, once I had a downy swan, she was so very frail,
She sat upon an oyster shell and hatched me out a snail. 
The snail it changed into a bird, the bird to butterfly, 
And he who tells a bigger tale would have to tell a lie.
Sing tarry-o-day, sing autumn to May.

1962 – Tom Paxton – Performed by Peter, Paul and Mary – Album: Peter, Paul and Mary