One for sorrow, two for mirth,
Three for a wedding, four for a birth,
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret not to be told.
Eight for heaven, nine for hell,
And ten for the devil's own sel'.
--- Anyone remember what they were?


I was taught by my Irish Grandmother it was a saying about RAVENS which then morphed into crows then any time you see birds - even in a picture or the like.

But I was taught :

One (bird) for sorrow, two for joy,
Three to marry, four to die.
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told.

I knew there were two more lines but couldn't remember them.... given some of the superstitions about ravens the devil part could fit!
That's my contribution. Any help?

Edit Could it have been magpies originally then become ravens? Are there magpies in US? Ravens?
Any birders in this flock?