Just gather round me and listen hear
A sad, sad story you shall hear
About our old bay mare that died last year
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day

This old bay mare was a greedy old soul
She always ate more than she could hold
Got fat and fatter and then she got old
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day

Out in the pasture clover knee deep
The cows nor the goat nor the pigs nor the sheep
Couldn’t get a bite though it was knee deep
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day

The owl and the sparrow the bee and the crow
There was plenty you know they’d beg for a bite
She’d kick and squeal, wouldn’t even let’m lite
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day

She stood and ate and ate and stood
The sun went down and still she stood
When the sun came up she was dead for good
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day

Along came a sparrow and lit on her nose
Along came a sparrow and lit on her nose
Sayin’ hey old lady you’re just about froze
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day
Along came the crow and lit on her tail
Along came the crow and lit on her tail
Sayin’ hey old lady you’re lookin’ mighty pale
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day

Along came the owl and lit on her back
Along came the owl and lit on her back
Sayin’ sister you’re gone and you ain’t comin’ back
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day

Along came the bee and lit on her head
Along came the bee and lit on her head
Buzzin’ hey old mare you sure are dead
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day

Along came a buzzard and peeked in her eye
Along came a buzzard and peeked in her eye
And away to the tree tops they did fly
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day

Then bye and bye they all did come
The ate and flew and had lots of fun
A talkin’ about how the old mare done
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day

My friends there is a moral here
Take no more than just your share
Remember the fate of the poor old mare
Singin’ fa da riddle sing day