The kookaburra is a large kingfisher bird native to Australia and New Guinea. It is known for its loud, distinctive call that sounds like loud laughter, which has led to nicknames like “laughing kookaburra” and “laughing jackass”. Kookaburras are a common sight and sound across many parts of Australia, and they have become an iconic part of the country’s wildlife and folklore.
The Kookaburra Song
There is a popular children’s rhyme and song about the laughing kookaburra. The song typically goes:
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
Merry merry king of the bush is he.
Laugh, Kookaburra laugh, Kookaburra, gay your life must be!
Laugh, Kookaburra laugh, Kookaburra, gay your life must be!
This short, catchy rhyme captures the kookaburra’s distinctive call and personality. “Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree” describes the bird’s habit of perching on branches and trunks of eucalyptus trees, waiting patiently to swoop down on prey. “Merry merry king of the bush is he” highlights the kookaburra’s regal, king-like reputation as one of the largest, most confident birds in its habitat. And the repetition of “Laugh, Kookaburra laugh” mimics the sound of its laughing call echoing through the bush.
The rhyme concludes by suggesting that because the kookaburra spends its days laughing and calling in the bushland, it must lead a joyful, cheerful life. The song captures the spirit of the kookaburra and introduces Australian children to one of the country’s most iconic native birds.
History and Origins
The rhyme is thought to have originated in the early 20th century, but there are a few different theories about who wrote the original song lyrics:
- It may have been written by Australian poet and musician Marion Sinclair for a children’s book published in 1909.
- Some sources say the rhyme was written by teacher Jane Banks around 1900, and that she may have accompanied it on the piano for her students.
- Australian novelist and poet Dorothea Mackellar has also been credited by some as the original author of the rhyme in the early 1900s.
Regardless of its exact origins, the song grew in popularity through the early 1900s, and by the 1920s it had become a common Australian nursery rhyme sung by children around the country. It was often taught in schools and at camps. Given the kookaburra’s prominence in Australian culture, the song served to help young generations learn about this iconic native bird.
Use in Music, Media, and Culture
Beyond its place in children’s nursery rhymes, the song has had an influence across Australian music and pop culture:
- Folk singers like Rolf Harris have recorded popular renditions of the rhyme.
- It has been used in television jingles, movie scores, and as stadium anthems for Australian sports teams.
- Australian post-punk band Laughing Clowns took their name from the song.
- It remains one of the most well-known Australian nursery rhymes taught to young children.
The song has also been translated into several Aboriginal languages as a way to teach Indigenous children about the iconic bird.
Internationally, the song gives audiences a taste of classic Australian wildlife. It has been used in films, cartoons, commercials, and other media as a quick way to insert something distinctly Australian. The kookaburra’s laughing call has also been used as a stock sound effect to convey a fun, jungle vibe.
Lyrics Analysis
While on the surface it is a simple, catchy children’s tune, the kookaburra song also contains some interesting devices worth analyzing:
- Repetition – The repetition of “Laugh, Kookaburra laugh” beats out the rhythm of the song and mimics the echoing call.
- Alliteration – Alliteration is used in the phrase “Merry merry king of the bush is he.” The repeated “m” sounds emphasize the kookaburra’s joyful nature.
- Internal rhyme – The rhyme scheme of AAA makes the lyrics easy to remember and sing.
- Personification – Calling the kookaburra the “king” who lives a “gay” (happy) life personifies the bird.
So while the rhyme is catchy on the surface, some poetic devices add to its rhythmic quality and help it stick in children’s minds. This analysis also shows that the writer was able to capture so much meaning about the kookaburra in just a few short, rhyming lines.
Kookaburra Behavior and Habits
So what types of interesting traits and behaviors are highlighted in the song? Here are some key facts about kookaburra behavior reflected in the rhyme:
- Kookaburras are kingfishers – The song refers to the kookaburra as “king,” highlighting that they are the largest species in the kingfisher family.
- They live in eucalyptus trees – Also called “gum trees,” Australia’s eucalyptus forests are the kookaburra’s preferred habitat.
- Their loud, echoing call sounds like human laughter.
- They sit patiently on perches waiting to swoop down on prey.
- They are confident, territorial birds.
- Their loud calls are a social signal asserting their dominance.
So in this short rhyme, the writer captures some key traits of Australia’s best-known bird – its appearance, call, habitat, diet, and behavior.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the classic Australian children’s rhyme about the laughing kookaburra skillfully captures the spirit of this iconic Aussie bird. It describes its joyful call, confident nature, tree-perching habits, and king-of-the-bush status in a short, rhythmic, and fun-to-sing format. The song has become a cherished way for Australian children to learn about a bird that is deeply connected to their landscape and culture. The kookaburra rhyme remains a catchy tune that sticks in the mind and introduces generations of children to the wonderful native wildlife of Australia.
Year | Key Event |
---|---|
Early 1900s | Rhyme likely written by unknown Australian teacher or poet |
1920s | Rhyme grows popular and is taught in schools |
Mid 1900s | Used in music, TV, film to represent Australia |
Today | Remains beloved nursery rhyme for Aussie children |
The Kookaburra Song Lyrics
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
Merry merry king of the bush is he.
Laugh, Kookaburra laugh, Kookaburra, gay your life must be!
Laugh, Kookaburra laugh, Kookaburra, gay your life must be!
Key Facts about Kookaburras
- Large kingfisher species native to Australia and New Guinea
- Known for loud, echoing “laughing” territorial call
- Patiently perch on trees waiting to swoop down on prey
- Build nests in tree holes or termite mounds
- Omnivores who eat reptiles, insects, rodents, and more
- Form monogamous breeding pairs who mate for life
- Live in family groups that defend a territory
The kookaburra is an iconic cornerstone of Australia’s unique wildlife. This rhyme has helped teach generations of children about the bird’s signature traits and behaviors. It continues to be a catchy and fun way to learn about the “merry merry king of the bush.”