Little Birdie

Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional

Played by Jerry Garcia with the Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers in June 1962, and also in a solo performance in San Mateo in November 1962. "Little Birdie" has obvious links with the songs Dark Hollow and East Virginia Blues. Thanks to Matt Schofield for the lyrics.

Little birdie, little birdie
Come sing to me a song
A short time to stay here
And a long time to be gone

I'd rather be in some dark holler
Where the sun don't never shine
Than to see you (?)
And to know you'll never be mine

Little birdie, little birdie
What makes you fly so high
It's because my own true lover
Is waiting in the sky

Little birdie, little birdie
Come sing to me a song
A short time to stay here (note 1)
And a long time to be gone