Lyrics
(Russian folk tune, Lyrics by Homer H. Harbour, 1921)
1. Caterpillar! Caterpillar! You are such a pretty sight.
Caterpillar! Caterpillar! Blue and yellow, black and white.
Take care what you do, Robins are a-hunting you.
Take care what you do, Sparrows are a-chasing you.
2. Caterpillar! Caterpillar! Keep away from phoebe birds.
Caterpillar! Caterpillar! Keep away from thistle birds.
Look out what you do, Swallows are a-hunting you.
Look out what you do, Finches are a-chasing you.
3. Caterpillar! Caterpillar! Creep away and hide you soon.
Caterpillar! Caterpillar! Spin yourself a gay* cocoon.
Dark and silent lie, Till you are a butterfly.
Dark and silent lie, Till you are a butterfly.
*Optional: Change the word to “tight” or “gray.”
See also
- Subject: spring / insects / birds
- Harmony: chords I, IV, V
- Melody: high do
- Meter: 2
- Scale: major
- Source: 140 Folk-songs with Piano Accompaniment “rote Songs” for Grades I, II and III,Archibald Thompson Davison, Thomas Whitney Surette, 1921
- Song with chords (PDF)
- MIDI file
- Listen to the song
