Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird, she sings as she flies
She never gets lonesome till the first day of July.
I've gambled in England, and I've gambled down in Spain.
I gambled with five aces, now I've gambled my last game.

Oh, it's gamblin' that's brought me prison,
And it's gamblin' that's brought me pain
I'll never see the cuckoo or hear her song again

Jack o' diamonds, jack o' diamonds, I know you of old
You robbed my poor pockets of silver and of gold.

Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird, she sings as she flies
She never gets lonesome till the first day of July.