Two birds sit on a stone but one flies away

There Were Two Birds

There were two birds sat on a stone,
Fa la la la, lal de.
One flew away, and then there was one,
Fa la la la, lal de.
The other flew after, and then there was none,
Fa la la la, lal de.
And so the poor stone was left all alone,
Fa la la la, lal de.

Listen as male British:

Listen as female American:

Listen as told in a story:

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Meaning

The rhyme describes two birds resting on a stone, then each flies away until the stone is left alone. The cyclical version continues with the birds returning and greeting each other, reinforcing patterns of arrival, departure, and reunion. Gentle repetition and a musical refrain (“Fa, la, la, la, lal, de”) create a soothing, singable effect while the subject matter highlights both change and connection in nature.

Origin

Dating to at least the early 17th century, this rhyme was collected by Halliwell and others and remains a staple in British and American nursery songbooks. Its refrain links it to ballad and folk song traditions, and it likely circulated orally much earlier.

Time Period

1600s (James I era) and onwards; recurring in 18th and 19th-century printed collections.

Why It Became Popular

Memorable melody, easy structure, and playful cyclicality make the rhyme attractive for children’s singing and group recitation. The motif of birds coming and going is simple but emotionally resonant.

Structure and Style

Meter: Ballad form with regular, repetitive refrains
Rhyme Scheme: AABABABA, alternating lines with musical refrain
Line Count: Typically eight (basic version), up to sixteen with extended greetings
Style Notes: Folk song, cyclical narrative, musical interlude

Themes

Departure and reunion
Nature’s cycles
Sociability and greeting
Change and solitude

Language Notes

Use of “Fa, la, la” links to traditional English ballad endings. The rhyme’s narrative simulates real bird behavior—leaving, returning, greeting—echoing everyday observation.

Moral or Lesson

Introduces ideas about friendship, return, and brief absence, as well as the passing of time and restoration.

Associated Keywords

Two birds, nursery rhyme, ballad refrain, cyclical song, greeting, departure

Historical or Cultural Notes

Often sung in classroom and home settings with hand motions or visual aids. The rhyme features in historical anthologies, emphasizing its age and musical adaptability.

Notable Variants

Some versions change the type of birds, omit or extend the greeting sequence, or adapt the refrain. The pattern and theme remain strong across variants.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Common in nursery rhyme books, folk song databases, ballad anthologies, and children’s musical collections.

Suggested Activities

Sing-Along: Use motions to mimic birds flying away and returning.
Art Project: Draw the stone, birds, and sequence of their movement.
Cyclical Storytelling: Extend the tale with more comings and goings, greetings and goodbyes.
Nature Observation: Watch birds outside and retell their patterns in rhyme.