James Whitcomb Riley - "Hik-Tee-Dik!" lyrics

THE WAR-CRY OF BILLY AND BUDDY When two little boys--renowned but for noise-- Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!-- May hurt a whole school, and the head it employs, Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! Such loud and hilarious pupils indeed Need learning--and yet something further they need, Though fond hearts that love them may sorrow and bleed. Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! O the schoolmarm was cool, and in no wise a fool; Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! And in ruling her ranks it was _her_ rule to _rule_; Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! So when these two pupils conspired, every day, Some mad piece of mischief, with whoop and hoo-ray, That hurt yet defied her,--how happy were they!-- Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! At the ring of the bell they 'd rush in with a yell-- Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! And they'd bang the school-door till the plastering fell, Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! They'd clinch as they came, and pretend not to see As they knocked her desk over--then, _My!_ and _O-me!_ How awfully sorry they'd both seem to be! Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! This trick seemed so neat and so safe a conceit,-- Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!-- They played it three times--though the third they were beat; Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy! For the teacher, she righted her desk--raised the lid And folded and packed away each little kid-- Closed the incident so--yes, and locked it, she did-- Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!