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1850–1895

“FIDDLE-DEE-DEE”

Eugene Field

There once was a bird that lived up in a tree, And all he could whistle was “Fiddle-dee-dee” — A very provoking, unmusical song For one to be whistling the summer day long!

Yet always contented and busy was he With that vocal recurrence of “Fiddle-dee-dee.” Hard by lived a brave little soldier of four, That weird iteration repented him sore;

“I prithee, Dear-Mother-Mine! fetch me my gun, For, by our St. Didy! the deed must be done That shall presently rid all creation and me Of that ominous bird and his‘ Fiddle-dee-dee’!”

Then out came Dear-Mother-Mine, bringing her son His awfully truculent little red gun; The stock was of pine and the barrel of tin, The “bang” it came out where the bullet went in —

The right kind of weapon I think you'll agree For slaying all fowl that go “Fiddle-dee-dee”! The brave little soldier quoth never a word, But he up and he drew a straight bead on that bird;

And, while that vain creature provokingly sang, The gun it went off with a terrible bang! Then loud laughed the youth — “By my Bottle,” cried he, “I've put a quietus on‘ Fiddle-dee-dee’!”

Out came then Dear-Mother-Mine, saying: “My son, Right well have you wrought with your little red gun! Hereafter no evil at all need I fear, With such a brave soldier as You-My-Love here!”

She kissed the dear boy. ( The bird in the tree Continued to whistle his “Fiddle-dee-dee” )

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“FIDDLE-DEE-DEE” · Eugene Field · Poetry Cove