Versions of the story appear to exist in other countries, including Germany. The use of the rhyme 'owl' with 'shovel' could suggest that it was originally used in older middle English pronunciation. The rhyme is similar to a poem, Phyllyp Sparowe, written by John Skelton about 1508, in which the narrator laments the death of his pet bird. The death of a robin by an arrow is depicted in a 15th-century stained glass window at Buckland Rectory, Gloucestershire. Origin and meaning Īlthough the earliest known record of the song is from the mid-eighteenth century, there is some evidence that it is much older. Several early versions picture a stocky, strong-billed bullfinch tolling the bell, which may have been the original intention of the rhyme. The rhyme also has an alternative ending, in which the sparrow who killed Cock Robin is hanged for his crime. All the birds of the air fell a-sighing and a-sobbing, when they heard the bell toll for poor Cock Robin. Who'll toll the bell? I, said the Bull, because I can pull, I'll toll the bell. Who'll sing a psalm? I, said the Thrush, as she sat on a bush, I'll sing a psalm. Who'll bear the pall? I, said the Crow, with the cock and the bow, I’ll bear the pall. Who'll carry the coffin? I, said the Kite, if it's not through the night, I'll carry the coffin. Who'll be chief mourner? I, said the Dove, I mourn for my love, I'll be chief mourner. Who'll carry the link? I, said the Linnet, I'll fetch it in a minute, I'll carry the link. Who'll be the clerk? I, said the Lark, if it's not in the dark, I'll be the clerk. Who'll be the parson? I, said the Rook, with my little book, I'll be the parson. ![]() Who'll dig his grave? I, said the Owl, with my pick and trowel, I'll dig his grave. ![]() Who'll make the shroud? I, said the Beetle, with my thread and needle, I'll make the shroud. Who caught his blood? I, said the Duck, it was just my luck, I caught his blood. Who saw him die? I, said the Fly, with my little teeny eye, I saw him die. Who killed Cock Robin? I, said the Sparrow, with my bow and arrow, I killed Cock Robin. The extended version given below was not printed until c. The earliest record of the rhyme is in Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book, published in 1744, which noted only the first four verses.
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