This folk-lyric song of British origin was one of the most common songs in Appalachia. The cuckoo bird is an ancient symbol for the coming of summer as well as a classical symbol of fickleness, false love, and infidelity.
Lyrics
Gonna build me a log cabin
On a mountain so high
So I can see Willie
As he goes on by
Oh, the coo-coo is a pretty bird
She wobbles/warbles as she flies
She never hollers coo-coo
‘Til the fourth day of July
I’ve played cards in England
I’ve played cards in Spain
I’ll bet you ten dollars
I’ll beat you next game
Jack of diamonds, Jack of diamonds
I’ve known you from old
Now you’ve robbed my poor pockets
Of my silver and my gold
I’ve played cards in England
I’ve played cards in Spain
I’ll bet you ten dollars
I beat you this game
Oh, the coo-coo is a pretty bird
She wobbles as she flies
She never hollers coo-coo
‘Til the fourth day of July