A king may buy whatever he likes
A canary, for example
may he choose to please his knights and gents
And the canary she is ample

For what? They know not of her grace
And shining boys become dull jack-a-dandies
Singing to a barren dope's dream by the creek
Drinking a fool's dumb brandy

But a pleasant peasant such as I
Would miss Miss canary's tale
A bountiful breast of song she bears
Ceaselessly singing yonder till the day is pale

Tis she who taught men so bold
And frail girls down at heart
"No meaning lies in a white man's life,
neglect till death do us part."

And death did part a king and his bird
Where is my song this morning, love?
By ashen heart and ill minded men
He traded the people's money for a dove

Twas no great doing for he to trade
Pure beauty for plain brash
I heard her sing her sad farewell
And break her wings through a broken bride's mad dash

Oh how the moons fly by
I'd pray to catch Miss canary in the highest blossom tree
That she did love as much as I
The home of his highness, his royal majesty