[Verse 1] Twelve newly hatched quail came out of the nest, They form a straight line, their instincts the best. Dust on their bodies, dust on their feet, Helping Mama keep tabs with their steady peeps. Big plumed Father watching from high on a limb, Keeping a lookout as the sky grew dim. The chicks scratched through gravel, searching for food, Small beetles and ants — high protein is good. [Chorus] Twelve little quail in the desert sun, Stay close together now, every one. Run when you can, and if the way isn't clear, Find some cover and just disappear. Stay close to Mama, stay close to Dad The desert is beautiful, But it can also be bad [Verse 2] Early each morning they started to feed, Tiny brown bodies not lacking in speed. Down to the cactus and into the shade, Following every move that Mama made. Then something moved in the grass near the hill. Mama went silent. The babies went still. Not every danger comes down from the sky — Sometimes the safest thing is not to fly. [Verse 3] Ten came running when Mama called, Two of the chicks never responded at all. A snake in the shadows, a hawk overhead Here in the desert every critter must be fed. The ten remaining tucked into the brush, No little footsteps, no little rush. Tomorrow they'll rise when the desert is cool, And learn from their parents - a Gambel's quail school. [Chorus] Twelve little quail in the desert sun, Stay close together now, every one. Run when you can, if the way isn't clear, Find some cover and just disappear. Stay close to Mama, stay close to Dad — The desert is beautiful, But it can also be bad [Verse 4] Ten became eight, then eight became six, Mama's extra careful with the remaining chicks. A bobcat prowled where the shadows were deep, A coyote came by while they waited asleep. Rain brought desert growth and the insects came out, And the little ones learned what survival's about. They grew through the summer, feather by feather, And stayed with their family, all huddled together. [Bridge] The days got cooler, near the canyon wall The little ones gradually stop looking so small. Three still remained, the other nine met their fate That's actually a pretty good survival rate [Verse 5] Three nearly grown in the morning light, Running through washes and learning to fight Not fight with each other, but fight to survive, The three little quail who had managed to thrive. They know how to find food, they welcome the rain, They recognize danger - it's built into their brain. Soon they'll leave home, as all quail do, And find their own mates and remain always true. [Final Chorus] Twelve little quail in the desert sun, Stay close together now, every one. Run when you can, if the way isn't clear, Find some cover and just disappear. Stay close to Mama, stay close to Dad — The desert is beautiful, But it can also be bad [Outro] And somewhere nearby, when spring comes again, A pair of quail will be calling beneath the mesquite. Twelve little shadows will follow them out And the desert will tell the same story again
