ARTIST: Gilbert and Sullivan
TITLE: Tit-Willow
Lyrics


[Mikado]

On a tree by a river a little tom-tit 
Sang "Willow, tit willow, tit willow" 
And I said to him, "Dicky-bird, why do you sit 
Singing 'Willow, tit willow, tit willow'" 
"Is it weakness of intellect, birdie?" I cried
"Or a rather tough worm in your little inside" 
With a shake of his poor little head, he replied
"Oh, willow, tit willow, tit willow!"

He slapped at his chest, as he sat on that bough
Singing "Willow, tit willow, tit willow" 
And a cold perspiration bespangled his brow
Oh, willow, tit willow, tit willow
He sobbed and he sighed and a gurgle he gave*
Then he plunged himself into the billowy wave
And an echo arose from the suicide's grave
"Oh, willow, tit willow, tit willow"

Now I feel just as sure as I'm sure that my name 
Isn't Willow, tit willow, tit willow
That 'twas blighted affection that made him exclaim 
"Oh, willow, tit willow, tit willow" 
And if you remain callous and obdurate, I 
Shall perish as he did, and you will know why
Though I probably shall not exclaim as I die
"Oh, willow, tit willow, tit willow"

*Also sometimes performed as, "He shivered and shook and a gurgle he gave / Ere he plunged himself into the billowy wave."

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