Four and twenty blackbirds sitting on a fence Four and twenty years and I been trying to make some sense But it don't look too good mama Don't look too good for me I was wading in the water but I only got washed out to sea Four and twenty blackbirds flying through the sky Four and twenty years and still I'm barely getting by But it don't look too good mama Don't look too good for me I was toiling in the fields But the whirlwind is all I did see Four and twenty blackbirds crowing up above Four and twenty years and I been in and out of love But it don't look too good mama Don't look too good for me Well my cup runneth over But it never seems to satisfy me It's four and twenty thunder Four and twenty rain I just walking on the rails I just keep grinning at the train But it don't look too good mama Don't look too good for me Oh my cup runneth over But it never seems to satisfy me Four and twenty blackbirds crowing on a wire Four and twenty years that I been caught up in desire But it don't look too good mama Don't look too good for me I got one taste of the apple And I wanted the whole damned tree