A Most Unpleasant Way, Sir

[Verse 1]
It was in the falling summer rain
I found myself one day, sir
And I met a young man with a bird in his hand
And this to me did say, sir
"This bird you see has been with me
Since the twenty-third of May, sir"
And all the time the rain came down
In a most unpleasant way, sir

[Verse 2]
Well, I looked at the bird in the young man's hand
And the bird looked back at me, sir
He's a vulture plain from the hills of Spain
I could so clearly see, sir
I said, "I fear it's waiting here
For you to pass away, sir"
And all the time the rain came down
In a most unpleasant way, sir

[Verse 3]
Well, the young man shook his head and cried
"Whatever shall I do, sir?
For I swear it's only right and fair
That I give this bird to you, sir"
I answered "No" and turned to go
But something made me stay, sir
And the bird was sitting on my arm
In a most unpleasant way, sir

[Verse 4]
So here I've stood upon this spot
For many's the night and day, sir
For who could tend my feathered friend
'Til you came by this way, sir?
And now, the bird to you transferred
I can no longer stay, sir
For it hurts to see you look at me
In that most unpleasant way, sir