have a little shadow
That goes in and out with me
And what can be the use of him
Is more than I can see
He is very very like me
From the heels up to the head
And I see him jump before me
When I jump into my bed

The funniest thing about him
Is the way he likes to grow
Not at all like children
Which is always very slow
Sometimes he shoots up taller
Like an crazy rubber ball
And sometimes gets very little
That there is none of him at all

He hasn't got a notion
Of how children ought to play
And can only make a fool of me
In every sort of way
He sticks so close behind me
He's a coward you can see
I'd think shame to stick too nursie
As that shadow sticks to me.

One morning very early
Before the sun was up
I rose and found the shinning dew
On every buttercup
But my lazy little shadow
Like an arrant sleepy head
Had stayed at home behind me
And was fast asleep in bed.