Cuckoo Song
Cuckoo Song - meaning Summary
Spring Announced by Ritual
Kipling's "Cuckoo Song" is a jaunty folk-like call announcing spring through the cuckoo's voice and a repeated refrain about an "Old Woman" and the Heffle Cuckoo Fair. The speaker urges nature and listeners to accept the bird's legalistic summons, celebrates seasonal renewal, and warns youth to enjoy love and play while the season allows. The poem blends communal ritual, impulse to play, and seasonal transience.
Read Complete AnalysesTell it to the locked-up trees, Cuckoo, bring your song here! Warrant, Act and Summons, please, For Spring to pass along here! Tell old Winder, if he doubt, Tell him squat and square -- a! Old Woman! Old Woman! Old Woman's let the Cuckoo out At Heffle Cuckoo Fair -- a! March has searched and April tried -- 'Tisn't long to Mary now. Not so far to Whitsuntide And Cuckoo's come to stay now! Hear the valiant fellow shout Down the orchard bare -- a! Old Woman! Old Woman! Old Woman's let the Cuckoo out At Heffle Cuckoo Fair -- a! When your heart is young and gay And the season rules it -- Work your works and play your play 'Fore the Autumn cools it! Kiss you turn and turn-about, But my lad, beware -- a! Old Woman! Old Woman! Old Woman's let the Cuckoo out At Heffle Cuckoo Fair -- a!
Spring begins in southern England on the 14th April, on which date the Old Woman lets the Cuckoo out of her basket at Heathfield Fair -- locally known as Heffle Cuckoo Fair.
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