There Was an Old Crow

There was an old crow
Sat upon a clod;
That’s the end of my song,
That’s odd!

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Posted in All Rhymes, Animals, Humor, Mother Goose Classics

Tagged bird, blackbird, crow, joke

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Meaning

This highly succinct rhyme presents the simple image of an old crow sitting on a lump of earth, ending abruptly and humorously with “There’s an end of my song, That’s odd!” The playful conclusion pokes fun at the brevity and simplicity of the rhyme itself, making it memorable for children and a gentle joke among adults.

Origin

The rhyme was collected by James Orchard Halliwell in his *The Nursery Rhymes of England* (1886), noted as “an ancient Suffolk song for a bad singer.” It appears in “The Little Mother Goose” (1912) and in other Victorian and Edwardian rhyme compilations, rooted in oral tradition from at least the 19th century.

Time Period

Mid- to late-19th century, with prior oral transmission.

Why It Became Popular

Its ultra-short format, silly ending, and easy imagery make it ideal as a rhyme for younger children or as a gentle tease for “bad singers” in social settings. The self-aware ending invites laughter and is designed to amuse with its own oddness.

Structure and Style

Meter: Short and direct, with a sing-song cadence
Rhyme Scheme: AABA
Line Count: Four lines
Style Notes: Humorous, abrupt, meta-rhyme

Themes

Animals (crow)
Simplicity and brevity
Self-referential humor
Light-hearted nonsense

Language Notes

Uses concise narrative paired with an intentionally silly or anticlimactic punchline. “Clod” is an old word for a lump of earth, typical of rustic verse.

Moral or Lesson

No explicit moral—offers humor through brevity and the unexpected.

Historical or Cultural Notes

Known as a rhyme “for a bad singer,” it’s often recited or sung in a joking manner. Its curt ending and direct statement of oddness set it apart from more conventional nursery verse.

Notable Variants

Generally, the core text remains the same, but some regional versions change “clod” to “stone” or alter the final line for emphasis.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Featured in Halliwell’s and other classic Mother Goose and nursery rhyme anthologies; occasionally referenced in books focused on short or comic poetry.

Suggested Activities

Storytime: Recite the rhyme for fun and discuss why the ending is “odd.”
Art Project: Draw the old crow on its clod, then illustrate “what happens next.”
Creative Writing: Encourage children to invent more lines before or after the “odd” ending.
Singing Game: Use as a humorous ending to a group rhyme or song session.

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There Was an Old Crow

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There Was an Old Crow

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