The cuckoo is a popular and well-known nursery rhyme and singing game thought to have originated in England in the 18th century. It is about the cuckoo bird that arrives in spring and its call. The rhyme is short and simple, making it easy for young children to remember and recite.
Lyrics
The lyrics to the nursery rhyme The Cuckoo are:
Cuckoo, cuckoo
Cuckoo, cuckoo
Comes in April
Stays the whole of May
Cuckoo, cuckoo
Cuckoo, cuckoo
Goes away in June
Comes again in tune
Analysis
The cuckoo rhyme follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme with “cuckoo” rhyming with itself and “May” rhyming with “tune.” It describes the arrival and departure of the cuckoo bird in spring and summer in a poetic way that is fun for children to sing. Here is an analysis of the lyrics:
Spring Arrival
The first two lines introduce the cuckoo’s call – “cuckoo, cuckoo.” This mimics the two-note call of the cuckoo bird. The next two lines state that the cuckoo comes in April and stays through May. This describes how cuckoos migrate back to England and other parts of Europe in April and remain throughout May to breed.
Summer Departure
The following two lines say that the cuckoo goes away in June. This refers to how the cuckoo leaves England again in June to migrate back to Africa for the winter. The last line says the cuckoo “comes again in tune.” This means the cuckoo returns the following spring (in April again) and its call will be “in tune” or on melody each year.
Background
The cuckoo rhyme is thought to have originated in 18th century England, a time when cuckoos were more common across Britain. Some key facts about the rhyme’s history and the cuckoo bird:
Origin | England, 18th century |
---|---|
Also known as | Cuckoo, Cuckoo |
Species described | Common cuckoo |
Scientific name | Cuculus canorus |
The rhyme captures the popular awareness of the cuckoo’s migratory habits in England at the time. English people would listen for the first cuckoos arriving in April as a sign of spring.
Melody
The cuckoo rhyme is sung with a simple melody that mimics the two note call of the cuckoo bird. The two syllables of “cuckoo” are sung on the same repeated note while the other lyrics use a descending scale. This is a common melody that has been passed down along with the rhyme over generations. The repetitive nature makes it highly memorable for young children.
Notation
The melody can be notated on a musical staff. Here is one version:
Lyrics | Notes |
---|---|
Cuckoo, cuckoo | G, G |
Cuckoo, cuckoo | G, G |
Comes in A- | E |
pril stays the | D |
whole of May | C |
The two-note cuckoo call is sung on repeated G notes while the lyrics descend the scale E-D-C. The next two lines repeat the same pattern up and down the scale.
Lyrical Analysis
While short and simple, the cuckoo rhyme contains some interesting literary devices:
Alliteration
There is alliteration with the repetition of the “C” sound in “Comes in April.” The repeating consonant sound makes the line more pleasing to sing.
Personification
Giving human traits to the cuckoo bird personifies it. Saying it “comes” and “goes away” depicts the cuckoo as having agency and purpose.
Rhyme
The rhyme scheme of AABB with “cuckoo” rhyming with itself and “May” rhyming with “tune” unifies the lyrics.
Repetition
The repetition of the phrase “cuckoo, cuckoo” mimics the call and creates a catchy refrain for children to sing.
Uses and Variations
The cuckoo rhyme is useful for several educational purposes and has some regional variations.
Education
In teaching young children, the cuckoo song:
- Helps teach rhyming patterns
- Provides melody and singing practice
- Teaches about birds and seasons
- Develops memorization skills
Regional Versions
Slightly different lyrics have been recorded in different parts of England. Some versions include:
Version | Lyrics |
---|---|
North England | Cuckoo, cuckoo, what do you do? |
Sussex | Cuckoo, cuckoo, how do you do? |
Somerset | Cuckoo cuck, my dear duck |
These show how the rhyme evolved with local influences as it spread across regions.
Cuckoo in Culture
The cuckoo has had cultural symbolism in England beyond just the nursery rhyme:
Folklore
- Hearing the first cuckoo call of spring was considered lucky
- Not hearing a cuckoo or hearing it from the north or west was unlucky
- Cuckoos were thought to turn into hawks in winter
Literature
The cuckoo features in English literature, including:
- In Shakespeare’s plays like Love’s Labour’s Lost
- Poetry by Wordsworth, John Clare, and Ted Hughes
- The folk ballad The Cuckoo Song (15th century)
Classical Music
Composers have imitated the cuckoo’s call in music, such as:
- Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony
- Handel’s Organ Concerto Op. 4 No. 2
- Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending
Conclusion
In conclusion, the children’s nursery rhyme The Cuckoo has its origins in 18th century England and describes the migratory habits of the native cuckoo bird through simple lyrics and melody. It develops children’s musical and literary skills. The cuckoo had symbolic meaning in English culture appearing in folklore, literature, and classical music beyond just this popular rhyme.