Song Video
Lyrics
"Will you walk into my parlor?' said the spider to the fly;
'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy.
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things
to show when you are there".
"Oh no, no,' said the little fly; "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair
can ne'er come down again".
"I'm sure you must be weary, dear,
with soaring up so high.
Well you rest upon my little bed?' said the spider to the fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around;
the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest a while, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
"Oh no, no,' said the little fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again who sleep upon your bed!'.
Said the cunning spider to the fly:
"Dear friend, what can I do
To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome -
will you please to take a slice?
"Oh no, no,' said the little fly; "kind sir, that cannot be:
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!'.
"Sweet creature!' said the spider,
"you're witty and you're wise;
How handsome are your gauzy wings;
how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;
If you'd step in one moment, dear,
you shall behold yourself".
"I thank you, gentle sir,' she said,
"for what you're pleased to say,
And, bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day".
The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the fly;
Then came out to his door again and merrily did sing:
"Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple;
there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like diamond bright,
but mine are dull as lead!'.
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft,
then near and nearer grew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes
and green and purple hue,
Thinking only of her crested head.
Poor, foolish thing! at last
Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast;
He dragged her up his winding stair, into the dismal den
Within his little parlor, but she ne'er came out again!
And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words I pray you ne'er give heed;
Unto an evil counselor close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the spider and the fly.
Information About The Spider To The Fly
The poem "The Spider To The Fly" was written by English poet Mary Howitt and published in 1829.
The opening words of the poem "Will you walk into my parlor?" have become an aphorism, suggesting a false offer of friendship or a trap. The line has been used and parodied by various writers; including "Lewis Carroll, whose "Lobster Quadrille" from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" is considered a parody of "The Spider To The Fly".
Alternative Lyrics & Related Songs
You can sing this shorter version if you want
Will you come into my
parlour?"
said the Spider to the Fly,
'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I've many things to show you when you are there."
"Oh no, no,"
said the little Fly,
"to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down
again."