(Chorus: repeat before each verse)
Upon a head of oaken wood,
Two painted eyes has he,
With jagged teeth and a clacking jaw
Through the crowds he creeps with glee,
And down his back, his back of cloth, his red mane does a-tumble,
As round and a-round his dancing feet, his bells they do a-jingle.
(Verses)
Little do the people know what foolery is in store,
For to and fro he mocks and weaves, unheard in the raucous roar,
Gently a-jostling with a great, grin full of fun,
Gingerly up behind he treads, for his jinking has begun.
Oh a victim has been chosen, a child so meek and small!
So skip does he, and hop does he, and closer comes this fool,
Then, up he jumps before a face distorted in a scream,
And satisfied then, off runs he, with his permanent, polished gleam.
Here and there, he tricks and scares, but not too much to offend,
Even though his playful mischief seems to have no end,
Then, vanishes does he into the crowds swinging his long rope-tail,
As a bystander, oh a kindly soul, passes him a pint of ale!
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