I HAD a merry bird 
    Who sung a merry song, 
And take it on my word, 
    The day it was not long 
In presence of my bird with its merry, merry song. 
 
 
Did fortune strew my way 
    With crosses, which, to bear, 
Had rendered me a prey 
    To sorrow or despair? 
My birdie trilled its lay, and they vanished into air. 
 
 
And thus went things with me, 
    Till lo, with sudden sweep, 
Death came across the lea 
    And laid my bird asleep; 
And ever since that hour I've done nought but sigh and weep.
Joseph Skipsey
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-merry-bird/