When you hear them cuckoos hollerin'
When you hear them cuckoos hollerin'
When you hear them cuckoos hollerin'
Sign of rain, sign of rain

When you hear them woodowls callin' through the night
When you hear them woodowls callin' through the night
When you hear them woodowls callin' through the night
Somebody's leavin' this old world behind

When you hear that high 'n lonesome sound
When you hear that high 'n lonesome sound
When you hear that high 'n lonesome sound
Somebody's on his last go round

Beg for mercy on your bended knees 'n pray
Beg for mercy on your bended knees 'n pray
Beg for mercy on your knees 'n pray
Ain't nowhere to run to, ain't no hiding place
Beg for mercy on your bended knees 'n pray