Lyrics
(American folk song)
1. I had four brothers over the sea,
Perry merry dictum Dominee;
And they each sent a present unto me.
Partum quartum perry dicentum.
Perry merry dictum Dominee.
2. The first sent me cherries without any stones…
The second sent a chicken without any bones…
3. The third sent a blanket that had no thread…
The fourth sent a book that could not be read…
4. When the cherries are in bloom they have no stones…
When the chicken’s in the egg it has no bones…
5. When the blanket’s in the fleece it has no thread…
When the book’s in the press it cannot be read…
See also
- Harmony: I IV V chords
- Melody:Â D,G,A,B
- Meter: 2
- Rhythm: Â /
- Scale: tetratonic
- Tones: drms
- Source: Franklin Square Song Collection: Two Hundred Favorite Songs and Hymns for Schools and Homes, Nursery and Fireside · Issue 3,1885
YouTube
- PDF of song with chords
- MIDI file
- Listen to the melody