Poor Babes in the Wood

O don't you remember A long time ago Two poor little babes, Their names I don't know. They strayed far away, On a bright summer's day. These two little babes Got lost on their way. Poor babes in the wood! Poor babes in the wood! Oh! don't you remember Those babes in the wood? Among the trees high, Beneath the blue sky, They plucked the bright flowers And watched the birds fly. Then on blackberries fed, And strawberries red, And when they were weary 'We'll go home,' they said. Poor babes in the wood! Poor babes in the wood! Oh! don't you remember Those babes in the wood? And when it was night, So sad was their plight, The sun it went down, And the moon gave no light! They sobbed and they sighed And they bitterly cried And long before morning, They lay down and died. Poor babes in the wood! Poor babes in the wood! Oh! don't you remember Those babes in the wood? And when they were dead, The robins so red, Brought strawberry leaves And over them spread. And all the day long, On the branches did throng, They mournfully whistled, And this was their song: Poor babes in the wood! Poor babes in the wood! Oh! don't you remember Those babes in the wood?

Tarrington, 1601
Legend says that if a robin redbreast finds a dead body in the woods it will cover it with moss.
Midi: Poor Babes in the Wood

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