Pīwakawaka (The Fantail)

On a lovely autumn day when the sky was blue
I was hanging out the washing like I always do
From the corner of my eye I saw something in the tree
There was a pīwakawaka who was watching me
I said "pīwakawaka, what can you see?
Pīwakawaka, won't you talk to me?"
And he said "pī-wa-ka-wa-ka, can't you see?
You're stirring up the bugs that will be my tea!"
Then he swooped and he hovered, chatting all the time
He cocked his head and fanned his tail
To balance on the line
"chirp, chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp" sang he
Pīwakawaka, as friendly as can be
I said "pīwakawaka, what can you see?
Pīwakawaka, won't you talk to me?"
And he said "pī-wa-ka-wa-ka, can't you see?
You're stirring up the bugs that will be my tea!"
Then he swooped and he hovered, chatting all the time
He cocked his head and fanned his tail
To balance on the line
"chirp, chirp chirp chirp, chirp chirp chirp" sang he
Pīwakawaka, as friendly as can be