1. Whenever a hornet sees me
It cannot help but sting

2. I wave my hand at it
So it will leave my head alone

3. And I put up with a bothersome fly
That has been bothering me for ages

4. The sting of a hornet cannot make up
For my Indian swords and knives

5. And I know the disease of the hornet
For I have been its examiner and measurer