O bird with the mournful throat, Singing in sorrowful key, What grief does your song denote, Your desolate "De-ary me"? Where could you have learned your song, When all of the woodlands ring With carollings cheery and strong That dance and frolic and swing? Has any one done you harm? Do you fear a mysterious woe? What breezes have whispered alarm And left you sorrowing so? The woods are full of content, There's gladness in blossom and tree, And yours is the only lament, Your woebegone "De-ary me." Cheer up, you worrying bird! Be ashamed that a wingless man Should offer this heartening word To one of the feathered clan! Take note of your relative there, The phoebe happy and wise, Who sings the sprightliest air Beneath the gloomiest skies. And change your disconsolate tune As soon as you possibly can, For fear, some unfortunate June, It might be adopted -- by man! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CLOSING SCENE by THOMAS BUCHANAN READ SUMMER (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI A WORKING PARTY by SIEGFRIED SASSOON THE HAPPY NIGHTINGALE by PHILIP AYRES TO HELEN KELLER by CRAVEN LANGSTROTH BETTS TWO HISTORIES by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB |