The Dinkey Bird
The Dinkey Bird
Original Text
Eugene Field, Lullaby-Land: Poems of Childhood (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1904): 43-46.
1In an ocean, 'way out yonder,
2 (As all sapient people know)
3Is the land of Wonder-Wander,
4 Whither children love to go;
5It's their playing, romping, swinging,
6 That give great joy to me
7While the Dinkey-Bird goes singing
8 In the amfalula tree!
9There the gum-drops grow like cherries,
10 And taffy's thick as peas--
11Caramels you pick like berries
12 When, and where, and how you please;
13Big red sugar-plums are clinging
14To the cliffs beside that sea
15Where the Dinkey-Bird is singing
16 In the amfalula tree!
17So when children shout and scamper
18 And make merry all the day,
19When there's naught to put a damper
20 To the ardor of their play;
21When I hear their laughter ringing,
22 Then I'm sure as sure can be
23That the Dinkey-Bird is singing
24 In the amfalula tree!
25For the Dinkey-Bird's bravuras
28 And robustos so complete,
29That the youth of every nation--
30 Be they near or far away--
31Have especial delectation
33Their eyes grow bright and brighter,
34 Their lungs begin to crow,
35Their hearts get light and lighter,
36 And their cheeks are all aglow;
37For an echo cometh bringing
38 The news to all and me,
39That the Dinkey-Bird is singing
40 In the amfalula tree.
41I'm sure you like to go there
42 To see your feathered friend--
43And so many goodies grow there
44 You would like to comprehend!
45Speed, little dreams, your winging
46 To that land across the sea
47Where the Dinkey-Bird is singing
48 In the amfalula tree!
Notes
26] staccatos: notes cut short. Back to Line
27] roulades: vocal embellishments on a single syllable
appoggiaturas: minor notes preceding essential notes Back to Line
appoggiaturas: minor notes preceding essential notes Back to Line
32] roundelay: song with refrain Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1904
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 1997.
Rhyme