Join us each month in song!
Since 2016—our designated Year of Song—CDSS has featured a traditional song each month. Lorraine Hammond spearheaded this effort, and it was such a popular feature that Judy Cook volunteered to continue the tradition in 2017 and beyond.
Note: Many of these old songs should be looked at as “fairy tales for adults” in that they often address very strong, and sometimes scary, subject matter. They allow us to deal with difficult situations and emotions with the distance afforded by putting it in a song. They are cautionary tales, and had their use as such.
This month’s song:
September 2023: Cock Robin
Submitted by Judy Cook
There are many versions of the nursery rhyme of “Cock Robin” in both Britain and America. Some say the song originated with the intrigues that led to the downfall of Robert Walpole in 1742. He was the longest serving British Prime Minister; the period of his dominance is sometimes called “the Robinocracy.”
I found this version of “Cock Robin” in Songs of All Time, sponsored by Council of the Southern Mountains, 1946. In that lovely little book, it is credited as a Virginia version collected by Richard Chase.
The same version appears in American Folk Tales and Songs, compiled by Richard Chase, 1956. In that book, Chase says he collected it from a singer, whose name he failed to record, near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He also reports that a Native American told him that the tune is the same as a Shoshone night chant. I find the song delightful and mesmerizing.
Listen to Judy and Dennis Cook performing “Cock Robin:”
Download the sheet music for “Cock Robin.” Lyrics
Who killed Cock Robin? Who killed Cock Robin?
“I,” said the sparrow, “With my little bow and arrow.
It was I, oh it was I.”Who saw him die? Who saw him die?
“I,” said the fly, “With my little teensy eye.
It was I, oh it was I.”Who caught his blood? Who caught his blood?
“I,” said the fish, “With my little silver dish.
It was I, oh it was I.”Who sewed his shroud? Who sewed his shroud?
“I,” said the beetle, “With my little sewing needle.
It was I, oh it was I.”Who dug his grave? Who dug his grave?
“I,” said the crow, “With my little spade and hoe.
It was I, oh it was I.”Who hauled him to it? Who hauled him to it?
“I,” said the bear, “Just as hard as I could tear.
It was I, oh it was I.”Who lowered him down? Who lowered him down?
“I,” said the crane, “With my little golden chain.
It was I, oh it was I.”Who pat his grave? Who pat his grave?
“I,” said the duck, “With my big old splatter foot.
It was I, oh it was I.”Who preached the funeral? Who preached the funeral?
“I,” said the swallow, “Just as loud as I could holler.
It was I, oh it was I.”Who killed Cock Robin? Who killed Cock Robin?
“I,” said the sparrow, “With my little bow and arrow.
It was I, oh it was I.
It was I, oh it was I.”Judy Cook is an author, entertainer, and folk singer. She has been living in Oberlin, Ohio, with her husband Dennis since 2013. Since 1998, she has been touring throughout both Britain and the US. She is known for her repertoire and storytelling ability in song. Judy has one book and several CDs. Lyrics and recordings of her songs are on her website. You may reach her at judy@judycook.net.
Past Songs
August 2023: Dives and Lazarus
July 2023: How to Make Love
June 2023: The Lazy Farmer
May 2023: We’re All Jolly Fellows that Follow the Plough
April 2023: Reynardine
March 2023: Free and Easy to Ramble Along
February 2023: The Rose in June
January 2023: Bed Is Too Small
December 2022: Jack Ashton
November 2022: Wild Mountain Thyme
October 2022: I’ve Lived in Service
September 2022: London Town
August 2022: Yuba Dam
July 2022: Bibble A La Do
June 2022: The Golden Willow Tree
May 2022: Ford o’ Kabul River
April 2022: Bold Riley
March 2022: The Foggy Dew
February 2022: Scarborough Settler’s Lament
January 2022: Tom o’Bedlam’s Song
December 2021: We Shepherds Be the Best of Men
November 2021: Catch Me If You Can
October 2021: Somebody’s Waiting for Me / Country Garden
September 2021: The Water Is Wide
August 2021: Springfield Mountain
July 2021: Shove the Grog Around (Shanty Song)
June 2021: The Cruel Mother
May 2021: Katie Catch
April 2021: A Pilgrim’s Way
March 2021: Glenlogie
February 2021: Sprig of Thyme
January 2021: Lord Bateman
December 2020: Brave Boys
November 2020: Abroad as I Was Walking
October 2020: The Dowie Dens o’ Yarrow
September 2020: The Setting of the Sun
August 2020: Annachie Gordon
July 2020: Stand Steady
June 2020: Braw Lads of Galla-water
May 2020: The Lincolnshire Poacher
April 2020: The Hills of Mexico
March 2020: I Saw Three Ships
February 2020: The Trooper and the Tailor
January 2020: Lost on the Lady Elgin
December 2019: Bright Phoebe
November 2019: Tickle Cove Pond
October 2019: I’m Going Back to North Carolina
September 2019: For the Company Underground
August 2019: The Maid of Sweet Gurteen
July 2019: Starving to Death on a Government Claim
June 2019: Annan Water
May 2019: The Shearin’s No’ For You
April 2019: Shady Grove
March 2019: Bedlam
February 2019: The Bonny Bunch of Roses
January 2019: Ambletown
December 2018: Throw Open Your Shutters
November 2018: The Wild Rover
October 2018: She’s Like the Swallow
September 2018: The Night Guard
August 2018: Here’s Adieu to All Judges and Juries
July 2018: Sailing
June 2018: Earl o’Bran
May 2018: Georgie
April 2018: A Sailor’s Life
March 2018: The Banks of Red Roses
February 2018: The Boy That Wore The Blue
January 2018: The Bay Of Biscay
December 2017: Song, Composed in August
November 2017: The Devil Buck
October 2017: Double Sledder Lad
September 2017: Sweet William’s Ghost
August 2017: Welcome Home My Sailor
July 2017: Drive Dull Care Away
June 2017: When I Went for to Take My Leave
May 2017: Bonnie Annie
April 2017: The Death of Bill Brown
March 2017: Money Is King
February 2017: Tha Sneachd’Air Druim Uachdair
January 2017: The January Man
December 2016: Lamb and Lion
November 2016: Farther On
October 2016: Skin and Bones
September 2016: Canaan’s Land
August 2016: Farmer’s Daughter
July 2016: Ladies Rejoice
June 2016: The Press Gang
May 2016: Dancing at Whitsun
April 2016: Spring
March 2016: The Bonnie Blue-Eyed Lassie
February 2016: Paper of Pins
January 2016: May It Fill Your Soul