In winter, when the fields are white,
I sing this song for your delight -
 
In spring, when woods are getting green,
I’ll try and tell you what I mean.
 
In summer, when the days are long,
Perhaps you’ll understand the song:
 
In autumn, when the leaves are brown,
Take pen and ink, and write it down.
 
I sent a message to the fish:
I told them ‘This is what I wish.’
 
The little fishes of the sea,
They sent an answer back to me.
 
The little fishes’ answer was
‘We cannot do it, Sir, because – ‘
 
I sent to them again to say
‘It will be better to obey.’
 
The fishes answered, with a grin,
‘Why, what a temper you are in!’
 
I told them once, I told them twice:
They would not listen to advice.
 
I took a kettle large and new,
Fit for the deed I had to do,
 
My heart went hop, my heart went thump:
I filled the kettle at the pump.
 
Then some one came to me and said
‘The little fishes are in bed.’
 
I said to him, I said it plain,
‘Then you must wake them up again.’
 
I said it very loud and clear:
I went and shouted in his ear.
 
But he was very stiff and proud:
He said ‘You needn’t shout so loud!’
 
And he was very proud and stiff:
He said ‘I’d go and wake them, if -’
 
I took a corkscrew from the shelf:
I went to wake them up myself.
 
And when I found the door was locked,
I pulled and pushed and kicked and knocked.
 
And when I found the door was shut
I tried to turn the handle, but -