This is one version of a very old folk song - you can find them on YouTube is you want to listen. It dates back to the 16th Century - or at least the use of the term 'cuckoo' as a metaphor for the female genitalia does. Is it just me or is there more than a hint of cuckold as well as cuckoo here ?? And we all know what cuckoos do ! Interested to get some reactions. The Cuckoo’s Nest There’s a pond-fish (?) in the garden where the lads and lasses meet It wouldn’t do to do what they’re doing in the street The first time that I went there I was very much impressed By the young folk that were ruffling up the cuckoo’s nest Chorus: Hey the cuckoo, ho the cuckoo, hi the cuckoo’s nest Singing hey the cuckoo, ho the cuckoo, hi the cuckoo’s nest I’ll give you a shilling and a bottle of best If you ruffle up the feathers of the cuckoo’s nest Well it’s prickled and it’s brambled and it’s feathered all around It’s hidden in a corner and it isn’t easily found If she hadn’t shown me how I never would have guessed how to ruffle up the feathers of the cuckoo’s nest Chorus Well she showed me where to find it and she showed me where to go The prickles and brambles where the young cucks go And once that I had found it, she’d never let me rest ‘Till I’d ruffled up the feathers of her cuckoo’s nest Chorus Well I met her in the morning and I took her in the night I hadn’t been that way before so I had to do it right She said young man you’re blundering I said it isn’t true But I left her with the marking of the young cuckoo Chorus