John Davis: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Cricket

John Davis

“The Cricket” as printed in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853).

John Davis: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1853 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from A First Series of Hymns and Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Little guest with merry throat,

Chirping by the taper light,

Come, prolong thy blithesome note,

Welcome songster of the night.

Verse 2

Here enjoy a calm retreat,

In my chimney safely dwell;

No rude hand thy haunt shall beat,

Or chase thee from thy lonely cell.

Verse 3

Come, recount me all thy woes,

While around us sighs the gale;

Or, rejoiced to find repose,

Charm me with a merry tale.

Credits

Written by John Davis

Words by John Davis (died 1854). Historical text published in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853), “The Cricket”

Every text in this 1853 collection is by Henry Formby (1816-1884), who died more than 140 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination. The credited author died in 1854.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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