Another year is starting
And before we have our feast,
My job's to do the sorting
But I'm not daunted in the least.

I've done this task through all the years
And never have I worried.
I know you want to meet your peers,
But this feat must be unhurried.

You may not understand
How important's the job I do,
So I'll tell you something just offhand
To explain it all to you.

I have to sift through all your head
To be sure my choice is right.
I must remember what they said,
Those who instructed me that night:

Quoth Gryffindor, "Be sure to find
The courageous and the brave.
Make sure the tough ones are assigned
The house that bears my name."

Quoth Ravenclaw, "I wish to teach
The clever and insightful.
Seek those students, I beseech,
Who find knowledge most delightful."

Hissed Slytherin, "I want the shrewd,
The sly, the cunning, and astute.
I only ask that you exclude
Those families of little repute."

Crooned Hufflepuff, "I merely want
The loyal and hard-working.
My students shant be the ones to daunt
Or ever be caught shirking."

I kindly will regard
All your ambitions and your fears.
Don't be afraid I'll be too hard
Pull me down around your ears.

Pull me close so you can hear,
And I'll tell what's in your heart.
Don't think for a moment you shouldn't be here.
With that: Let the sorting start.