Mockingbirds

As I was finishing up with my romp with the dogs this morning, I thought of the lyrics to this old song:

Mockingbird Hill

When the sun in the morning

 Peeps over the hill,

 And kisses the roses 'round my windowsill

 Then my heart fills with gladness

 When I hear the trill

 Of the birds in the treetops on Mockin' Bird Hill

Tra-la-la, twiddly-dee-dee

 It gives me a thrill

 To wake up in the morning to the mockingbird's trill

 Tra-la-la, twiddly-dee-dee

 There's peace and goodwill

 You're welcome as the flowers on Mockin' Bird Hill

When it's late in the evening,

 I climb up the hill

 And survey all my kingdom while everything's still

 Only me and the sky -- and an old whippoorwill

 Singin' songs in the twilight on Mockin' Bird Hill

Credit: Wikipedia

Above and around me were mockingbirds, their loud calls interspersed with their sweet song, It was diffficult to tell if they were playing or fighting as they swooped down and up, playing chase through the sky and into the treetops.

I have a soft spot in my heart for these birds because I love their song so much, which is especially nice when it’s at its loudest: twilight and the early morning and sometimes during the full moon. And they sing year round. What could be more lovely?

American singer Patti Page in the 1950s. She is 84 years old. Credit: Wikipedia

The other reason is because I have fond memories of being a small child and hearing this song on the radio. How safe and secure we felt in the security of our homes with parents to watch over us, to hear my mother hum along to the radio tune. As I listened to Patti Page at the YouTube link, I actually started crying because the sound was so sweet, but I also cried because time has passed so quickly and I was remembering mother when she was young. The cry did me good; I feel better now. But I had my moment.

These birds, the Northern Mockingbird (there are other varieties), are year ‘round residents here. The begin nesting in February and are known for aggressively defending their nests and surrounding area against other birds and animals. When a predator is persistent, mockingbirds from neighboring territories, summoned by a distinct call, may join the attack. Other birds may gather to watch as the mockingbirds harass the intruder. 

In addition to harassing domestic cats and dogs they consider a threat, it is not unheard of for mockingbirds to target humans, and I myself was once a target, when I ventured to close to their nest (I supposed). They appear to be absolutely unafraid and it is reported they will attack much larger birds, even hawks.

Mockingbird facts:

• A given bird may have 30, 40 or even 200 songs in its repertoire, including other bird songs, insect and amphibian sounds, and even the occasional mechanical noise.
• Is the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
• Features in the title and central metaphor of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. In that novel, mockingbirds are portrayed as innocent and generous, and two of the major characters, Atticus Finch and Miss Maudie, say it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because "they don't do one thing for us but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corn cribs  they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.”
• The traditional American lullaby "Hush Little Baby" has been recorded in numerous musical styles. The lyrics refer to Northern Mockingbirds once being popular as pets, and begin:  Hush little baby, don't say a word, Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird don't sing, Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring.
• "Listen to the Mocking Bird" is a classic American folk song.
• President Thomas Jefferson had a pet mockingbird named Dick.
• The Northern Mockingbird is likely to be the avian subject of Frederick Delius' choral work, 'Sea Drift'. This work of loneliness, loss and death describes a young boy watching a pair of birds at nest the realizing that the male is now alone, awaiting the return of his mate. 

You can listen to Patti Page sing Mockingbird Hill if you wish.

I will leave you today with a BIG laugh on me. I had the song on my brain so went to the piano in the midst of typing out my blog, as I am able to play songs "by ear." I had no trouble playing this tune, but when I returned to the keyboard and attempted to type, I was trying to play the piano  on my computer keyboard!! Oh my, what does this mean?????