The Robin and the Sparrow

"Said the robin to the sparrow,
'I should really like to know,
Why these anxious human beings Rush about and worry so.'

"Said the sparrow to the robin,
'Friend I think that it must be,
That they have no Heavenly Father,
Such as cares for you and me.'”

 ~~Unknown Author

I memorized this verse when a young girl from seeing it hanging upon the wall of a friend’s kitchen. At that time I did not memorize the author nor the title, which I have since discovered to be "Overheard In An Orchard" by Elizabeth Cheney.

Editor's Note: I first published this post in 2006, and since that time I have received the following comments (copied from the now defunct blog).

1. Thanks for the words of this poem. I also have known it since childhood, but wanted to confirm the wording in a few places.
   Comment by Sunroi — July 19, 2006 @ 12:50 pm
2. Since the publication of this post, I have since found that the author of this old poem is not “anonymous”, but seems to be Elizabeth Cheney and the poem she wrote was titled “Overheard In An Orchard”.
   Comment by Neddy — August 10, 2006 @ 9:16 am
3. I’ve memorized this poem as a child from an old picture my mom had framed with the poem–I was wondering if anyone knows where this picture can be found?
   Barbie
   Comment by barbie — August 20, 2006 @ 10:05 am
4. When I was a young man the poem was on a plaque just above our wall phone and I read it each and every time I used the phone. I still qoute it often when I need these words of inspiration.
   Comment by Jim Robbins — August 26, 2006 @ 9:00 am
5. I also memorized this poem when I was a young girl. I never forgot it, and was hoping to find it written somewhere again. It had been on a plaque that hung in our dining room near our phone. It seems this poem has meant a lot to many people and touched them when they were young. It was great to find the poem, and to hear about other peoples experiences much like my own.
   Comment by Dorothy Bennett — September 21, 2006 @ 4:20 pm
6. Here’s a pic. I found. Just google ‘robin and sparrow’ under images if this doesn’t work. :)
   charactersweb.ca/calligraphy.shtml
   Comment by Lauri Mayberry — January 4, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
7. My Grandmother had this plaque in her kitchen and every time I visited her we would say this together. after she passed away I had the plaque for the longest time and then through many moves I lost it and have been looking for another one ever since. If I ever find another I will hang it in my kitchen by the window just like she had her’s.
   Comment by pam — January 24, 2007 @ 9:17 am
8. I Love This Poem! I have it in my desk drawer.
   Comment by Judy — March 27, 2007 @ 9:37 am
9. My first try on goggle, and I found the poem I was looking for. I am going to be the speaker at a mother daughter banquet at our church and I want to use this poem. Great!
   Comment by Joy Grassu — March 28, 2007 @ 5:01 am
10. I first read this poem in my literature book while I was doing home schooling!! It was good, and I was really blessed. Thanks for posting it and the info about the author!
    (i know this is post was posted 2 years ago, but I just thought I’d comment anyways).
    Comment by Daniella Raj — March 29, 2007 @ 7:37 am
11. I also memorized this poem from a beautiful wall plaque hanging in my grandmother’s home. I found it recently in an old storage box and now have it hanging in my home. I am interested in the author, Elizabeth Cheney. How ironic that she so loved birds while our Vice President with the same last name takes such great pleasure in killing these lovely creatures.
    Comment by Debby Castellitto — June 6, 2007 @ 1:02 am
12. In fairness to the VP, he was hunting game birds, not killing robins and sparrows for pleasure. All of God’s creatures can be lovely in appearance, including chickens, turkeys and lambs, which also can taste delicious when harvested as food.
    Comment by Neddy — June 6, 2007 @ 8:20 am
13. The author is Elizabeth Cherry. I love this poem…
    Comment by Rachel — July 21, 2007 @ 10:58 am
14. WHEN I SAW THE ROBINS PICKING IN THE FLOWER BED AND GRASS EARLY THIS MORNING I THOUGHT OF THIS POEM . WHAT A BLESSING.
    Comment by JOE R. FORD — March 10, 2008 @ 7:55 am
15. Thank you for posting the words!
    I learned them from a friend who sang this as a song, but have since forgotten some of them, but remebered the tune. Thanks again, you made my day!
    Comment by Cynna — May 12, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
16. Where Can I get a framed copy of this
    Comment by Nelma Korthals — June 19, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
17. I truly love this poem. When I was little me and my sister would spend weekends with our grandparents, they had this poem hanging on our bedroom wall. Our grandparents have long past and me and my sister have been trying to remember the words to the poem, together we were able to piece it together. Does anyone know where we can find a plaque with this poem on it? I would love to surprise my sister and get it for her as a gift as well as one for myself. I took a chace a googled it, I couldn’t believe I found the words. Please let me know where I can find a plaque.
    Comment by Tami — June 24, 2008 @ 8:18 am
18. there is a 2nd verse I know “So the Robin and the sparrow Sang their chorus, Oh how sweet,don’t you know that Jesus loves you, come and gather at His feet. He who feeds the Robin red breast, He who marks the sparrows fall, He’s the one who died to save you. Come and trust Him one and all”
    Comment by trish lear — July 7, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
19. I too would like to find the plaque. I can see it plainly in my Mothers farm house kitchen. Any one find it yet……..Let me know
    Comment by Sharen — August 30, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
20. It was on a platter to keep waxed flowers in when I was a kid in the 50″s and has helped me through all my rough patches in life ever since.
    Comment by gail — September 15, 2008 @ 3:50 pm
21. The Robin and Sparrow was one of the many poems my Mother would sing, say and read to her family when we were children. Several years ago I wrote, Illustrated the poems and dedicated the poetry book to her with all the familiar old poems and sayings. I had 22 books printed for her children and grandchildren. I did the book in Calligraphy with the illustrations in crayon.
    Comment by audrey Jervis — September 18, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
22. to comment # 11 Debbie Castellitto I am desperately look for this plaque with both the robin and sparrow and apple blossoms. In was my Mom’s hanging in kitchen. Is there some way I can get in touch with you? Sharen at gatheringleaves@msn.com
    Comment by Sharen — November 20, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
23. I have the Robin poem memorized and say it often. Another one that has been a real inspiration to me is this one:
    “BEYOND OUR ASKINIG”!
    More than hearts can imagine
    or minds comprehend,
    God’s bountiful gifts
    are ours without end—
    We ask for a cupful
    when the vast sea is ours
    We pick a small rosebud
    from a garden of flowers,
    We reach for a sunbeam
    but the sun still abides,
    We draw one short breath
    but there’s air on all sides —
    Whatever we ask for
    falls short of God’s giving
    For His greatness exceeds
    every facet of living,
    And always God’s ready
    and eager and willing
    To pour out His mercy
    completely fulfilling
    Just give Him a chance
    to open His treasures
    And He’ll fill your life
    with unfathomable pleasures,
    Pleasures that never
    grow worn out and faded
    And leave us depleted
    disillusioned and jaded—
    For God has a “storehouse”
    just filled to the brim
    With all that man needs
    if we’ll only ask Him!
    Hopefull you will find it an inpiration as well.
    Comment by Fe Erickson — January 13, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
24. Hey guys, My Dad’s name is Massie Tice and he was in a band back in the sixties called Morning Star Band, they used to sing a song called Robin and The Sparrow with music to these same lyrics. Just thought I’d throw that out there. Have a good one.
    Comment by Manasseh David Israel — March 12, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
25. I just learned of Overheard In An Orchard and I am surprised I haven’t heard of it earlier. I am definitely going to keep this around for my young son and Sunday school class. I am definitely going to commit Beyond Our Asking to memory. Thanks for sharing those poems.
    Comment by Kimberly Herrington — March 16, 2009 @ 9:02 am
26. I remember this poem vaguely from childhood. Yesterday, I visited a 93 year old dear friend. She said she had suddenly remembered this after years of never thinking about it, and recited it word for word. We had a lovely time discussing it and how special it is. I am going to send it to another 93 year old lady to see if she remembers it.
    A true blessing to us.
    Thanks to all those who have fond memories and left positive comments.
    Comment by Cherry Hamilton — November 29, 2009 @ 5:00 am
27. Back in the 60’s I and my Jesus freak Gospel band “Morning Star were visiting Koinonia Farms in America Georgia (the seed that grew into Habitat For Humanity.) I found this poem on the wall of the house that we were given rooms to stay in while visiting there. I grabbed it and put the words to music and it became part of our repetoir. We sang it wherever we went and I am overjoyed to be reminded of the beautiful song that Father blessed me with to sing of His love for us. Now I’m 65 and still singing and will remember to sing this song anew. After suffering a stroke I have forgotten many of my songs so it is a blessing to be reminded of The Robin And The Sparrow. Now I am reminded of the sweet folks that I was blessed to get to know through Koinonia Farms near Americus Georgia. God bless Clarence Thomas founder of Koinonia Farms which morphed into HABITAT FOR HUMANITY! And Millard Fuller who took over Clarence’s work and molded the organization that has created shelter for a growing multitude of folks.
    Comment by Masie Tice — March 30, 2010 @ 6:13 am
28. Back in the 60’s I visited Koinonia Farms outside of Americas Georgia with my Jesus freak gospel band. I found the poem on the wall of the cabin that was lent to us while we visited there and grabbed it an gave the lyrics music and we performed the song everywhere we performed all over the Eastern states. I haven’t performed it in many years and now that I have senior memory can’t recall many of the songs that we used to do. I am so happy that this one has come back to me and will (Father willing) resume singing this beautiful song that Abba gave me back in the sixties. Our group, Morning Star Band loved to sing our song, Robin And The Sparrow.
    Comment by Masie Tice — March 30, 2010 @ 11:20 am
29. I also memorized this as a child with the help of a dear sweet person that I will always love.
    Comment by Carol Wakerley — May 28, 2010 @ 8:11 pm
30. Phil Keaggy also included the quote in his song “A Time and a Place” in the early/mid 70s. Perhaps he heard it first from Morning Star.
    Comment by Bob Morris — July 18, 2010 @ 9:04 am
31. I grew up with the plate hanging on the kitchen wall. The plate broke and my mom glued it back together. Does anyone know where I can find a plate in god shape?
    Comment by Susan — December 28, 2010 @ 5:34 pm
32. Susan - Try Ebay for finding the plate.
    Comment by Neddy — December 31, 2010 @ 10:28 am
33. As a child I saw this poem on a plack that hung on my grandmothers kitchen wall,I was so taken by it that I have always remembered it.
    Comment by joyce l. bischoff — August 30, 2011 @ 1:58 pm
34. Thanks for posting - I’ve been looking for this poem to publish in a young mens magazine “Servants Heart.” Heard it in passing one time in a sermon.
    Comment by Jared — September 13, 2011 @ 12:42 pm
35. Does anyone know when elizabeth cheney was born-I have another plaque “Faith Came Singing”-
    Faith came singing into my room
    and other guests took flight,
    Fear & anxiety,grief and gloom,
    sped out into the night.
    I wondered that such peace can be,
    but faith said gently,”dont you see,
    they really cannot live with me?”
    -Elizabeth Cheney
    it has a great tit in the left top corner with As thy days,so shall thy strength be.Deut 33:25
    also at top Lord,increase our faith.Luke 17:5
    I want to list it on ebay but would like to know more about the author for listing information.
    any help would be appreciated,also enjoy this little poem.
    Comment by joanne devlin — October 25, 2011 @ 5:03 pm
36. this poem was in the first edition of our hospital newsletter 46 years ago. i only remembered “said the robin to the sparrow” so i googled that and found it. it is as inspirational today as 46 years ago.
    Comment by BRENDA NEILL — October 27, 2011 @ 4:08 pm
37. Our family of 9 had this on our wall & memorized it too. It traveled all through CO, TX, AK and we moved often. It was one of the few things we took with us. My brother has the plaque. All of us would like to have it. I would love to find copies if they are out there. Call me -.
    Comment by Anna Thomas — November 29, 2011 @ 11:39 am
38. Our plaque went with us through all our moves and I think all 9 in our family memorized and enjoyed the poem. We would all like a copy but my brother has the original plaque. If anyone knows where I can get one, please call me, XXX XXX XXXX. Thanks.
    Comment by Anna Thomas — November 29, 2011 @ 12:25 pm

Dancing Goblin Feet

Goblin Feet
A Poem to Memorize - A Poem to Remember
by J.R.R. Tolkien

I AM off down the road
Where the fairy lanterns glowed
And the little pretty flittermice are flying:
A slender band of gray
It runs creepily away
And the hedges and the grasses are a-sighing.
The air is full of wings,
And of blundering beetle-things
That warn you with their whirring and their humming.
O! I hear the tiny horns
Of enchanted leprechauns
And the padded feet of many gnomes a-coming!

O! the lights: O! the gleams: O! the little tinkly sounds:
O! the rustle of their noisless little robes:
O! the echo of their feet -- of their little happy feet:
O! their swinging lamps in little starlit globes.

I must follow in their train
Down the crooked fairy lane
Where the coney-rabbits long ago have gone,
And where silverly they sing
In a moving moonlit ring
All a-twinkle with the jewels they have on.
They are fading round the turn
Where the glow-worms palely burn
And the echo of their padding feet is dying!
O! it's knocking at my heart --
Let me go! O! let me start!
For the little magic hours are all a-flying.

O! the warmth! O! the hum! O! the colours in the dark!
O! the gauzy wings of golden honey-flies!
O! the music of their feet -- of their dancing goblin feet!
O! the magic! O! the sorrow when it dies.
(from Oxford Poetry, 1915)

What Does It All Mean?