Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Fiddle by Michael Burnyeat, vocals by Aurora Aguilar & Farya Faraji. A fun little tune from England, with the typical features of a hexatonic mode and fiddle accompaniement.

Lyrics:
I, said the little leatherwing bat
I'll tell to you the reason that
The reason that I fly by night
Is because I've lost my heart's delight

Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low

I, said, the blackbird sitting on a chair
Once I courted a lady, fair
She proved fickle and turned her back
And ever since then I've dressed in black

Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low

I, said the woodpecker sittin' on a fence
Once I courted a handsome wench
She got scared and from me fled
And ever since then my head's been red

Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low

I, said the little turtle dove
I'll tell you how to win her love
Court her night and court her day
Never give her time to say o-nay!

Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low

I, said the bluejay and away he flew
If I were a young man I'd have two
If one were faithless and chanced to go
I'd add the other string to my bow

Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Howdy dowdy diddle-dumb day
Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low
Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low