Lyrics
Who killed Cock Robin?
"I", said the Sparrow,
"With my bow and arrow.
I killed Cock Robin".
Who saw him die?
"I", said the Fly,
"With my little eye,
I saw him die".
Who caught his blood?
"I", said the Fish,
"With my little dish,
I caught his blood".
Who'll make the shroud?
"I", said the Beetle,
"With my thread and my needle,
I'll make the shroud".
Who'll dig his grave?
"I", said the Owl,
"With my pick and shovel,
I'll dig his grave".
Who'll be the parson?
"I", said the Rook,
"With my little book,
I'll be the parson".
Who'll be the clerk?
"I" said the Lark,
"If it's not in the dark,
I'll be the clerk".
Who'll carry the link?
"I", said the Linnet,
"I'll fetch it in a minute,
I'll carry the link".
Who'll be chief mourner?
"I", said the Dove,
"I mourn for my love,
I'll be chief mourner".
Who'll carry the coffin?
"I", said the Kite,
"If it's not through the night,
I'll carry the coffin".
Who'll bear the pall?
"We", said the Wren,
Both the cock and the hen,
"We'll bear the pall".
Who'll sing a psalm?
"I", said the Thrush,
As she sat on a bush,
"I'll sing a psalm".
Who'll toll the bell?
"I", said the Bull,
"Because I can pull,
I'll toll the bell".
All the birds of the air,
Fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,
When they heard the bell toll,
For poor Cock Robin.
Information About Who Killed Cock Robin?
Who Killed Cock Robin is more of a folksong than a nursery rhyme.
Some believe it refers to the death of the legendary figure, Robin Hood and not a bird. Robin Hood was known for stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.
The words of "Who killed cock robin" describe how help was offered from all quarters following the death of cock robin thus reflecting the high esteem in which Robin was held by the common folk.
Other theories behind the rhyme claim it records a mythological event, or that it was a parody of the death of William Rufus, who was killed by an arrow. The theme of the death of Cock Robin, as well as the distinctive cadence of the poem has become something of an archetype, much used in literary fiction and other works of art, from poems, to murder mysteries, to cartoons.
For more information about Who Killed Cock Robin, visit Wikipedia.