Caterpillar! Caterpillar!

public domain

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.”