John Logan: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Cuckoo (II.)

John Logan

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

John Logan: Collected Lyrics Text 2 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

Hail, beauteous stranger of the grove,

Attendant on the spring!

Now heav'n repairs thy vernal seat,

And woods thy welcome sing;

Soon as the daisy decks the green,

Thy certain voice we hear.

Hast thou a star to guide thy path,

Or mark the rolling year?

Verse 2

Delightful visitant! with thee

I hail the time of flow'rs,

When heaven is fill'd with music sweet

Of birds among the bow'rs.

The schoolboy, wand'ring in the wood

To pull the flowers so gay,

Starts—thy curious voice to hear,

And imitates thy lay.

Verse 3

Soon as the pea puts on the bloom,

Thou fliest the vocal vale;

An annual guest in other lands,

Another spring to hail.

Sweet bird, thy bow'r is ever green,

Thy sky is ever clear;

Thou hast no sorrow in thy song,

No winter in thy year.

Credits

Written by John Logan

Words by John Logan. 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 Cuckoo (II.)”

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.

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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