"The Four Presents" lyrics

I had 4 sisters beyond the sea
Per Meri Dixi Dominie
And they each sent a present to me
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

Petrum Patrum Paradisi Tempori
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

The first sent a chicken without 'ere a bone
Pere Meri Dixi Dominie
The second sent a cherry without 'ere a stone
Pere Meri Dixi Dominie

Petrum Patrum Paradisi Tempori
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

The third sent a book which no one could read
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie
The fourth sent a blanket without a thread
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

Petrum Patrum Paradisi Tempori
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

How can there be a chicken without 'ere a bone?
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie
How can there be a cherry without a stone?
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

Petrum Patrum Paradisi Tempori
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

How can there be a book which no one could read?
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie
How can there be a blanket without a thread?
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

Petrum Patrum Paradisi Tempori
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

When the chicken's in the eggshell, there is no bone
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie
When the cherry's in the bud, there is no stone
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

Petrum Patrum Paradisi Tempori
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

When the book's in the press, no one it can read
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie
When the blanket's on the fleece, there is no thread
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie

Petrum Patrum Paradisi Tempori
Peri Meri Dixi Dominie