Darzee’s Chant

           SingerandtailoramI—

           DoubledthejoysthatIknow—

           Proudofmylilttothesky,

           ProudofthehousethatIsew—

           Overandunder,soweaveImymusic—soweaveIthehousethatIsew.

           Singtoyourfledglingsagain,

           Mother,ohliftupyourhead!

           Evilthatplaguedusisslain,

           Deathinthegardenliesdead.

           Terrorthathidintherosesisimpotent—flungonthedung-hillanddead!

           Whohasdeliveredus,who?

           Tellmehisnestandhisname.

           Rikki,thevaliant,thetrue,

           Tikki,witheyeballsofflame,

           Rikk-tikki-tikki,theivory-fanged,thehunterwitheyeballsofflame!

           GivehimtheThanksoftheBirds,

           Bowingwithtailfeathersspread!

           Praisehimwithnightingalewords—

           Nay,Iwillpraisehiminstead.

           Hear!Iwillsingyouthepraiseofthebottle-tailedRikki,witheyeballsofred!

           (HereRikki-tikkiinterrupted,andtherestofthesongislost.)