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Definition or meaning of the English word Robin
An American singing bird Merula migratoria (n.). Any one of several species of Australian warblers of the genera Petroica; Melanadrays; and allied genera; as; the scarlet-breasted robin Petroica mullticolor (n.). Any one of several Asiatic birds; as; the Indian robins. See Indian robin; below. (n.). A small European singing bird Erythacus rubecula (n.).
Robin Related Rhymes
Little Robin Red breast sat upon a tree,
Up went pussy cat and down went he;
Down came pussy, and away Robin ran;
Says little Robin Red breast, "Catch me if you can".
Little Robin Red breast jumped upon a wall,
Pussy cat jumped after him and almost got a fall;
Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did pussy say?
Pussy cat said, "Meeow!" and Robin jumped away.. - The origin and or meaning of this proverb is A traditional English nursery rhyme
The nursery rhyme lyrics are merely teaching children about natural enemies of animals and makes good use of the English language by using similes (red breast). It has no basis in history for its origins. It does, however, introduce a child to onomatopoeia ( a word that sounds like its meaning) In this nursery rhyme the word 'meeow' when pronounced conveys the actual sound of the word! The robin is a small brown bird with a bright red breast - hence the continuous reference to red breast. The robin is always associated with the Christmas season and featured on many Christmas cards showing a snow scene.
"Who killed Cock Robin?" "I," said the Sparrow,
"With my bow and arrow, I killed Cock Robin."
"Who saw him die?" "I," said the Fly,
"With my little eye, I saw him die."
"Who caught his blood?" "I," said the Fish,
"With my little dish, I caught his blood."
"Who'll make the shroud?" "I," said the Beetle,
"With my thread and needle, I'll make the shroud."
"Who'll dig his grave?" "I," said the Owl,
"With my pick and shovel, I'll dig his grave."
"Who'll be the parson?" "I," said the Rook,
"With my little book, I'll be the parson."
"Who'll be the clerk?" "I," said the Lark,
"If it's not in the dark, I'll be the clerk."
"Who'll carry the link?" "I," said the Linnet,
"I'll fetch it in a minute, I'll carry the link."
"Who'll be chief mourner?" "I," said the Dove,
"I mourn for my love, I'll be chief mourner."
"Who'll carry the coffin?" "I," said the Kite,
"If it's not through the night, I'll carry the coffin."
"Who'll bear the pall? "We," said the Wren,
"Both the cock and the hen, we'll bear the pall."
"Who'll sing a psalm?" "I," said the Thrush,
"As she sat on a bush, I'll sing a psalm."
"Who'll toll the bell?" "I," said the bull,
"Because I can pull, I'll toll the bell."
All the birds of the air fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,
When they heard the bell toll for poor Cock Robin.. - The origin and or meaning of this proverb is The origins and history of the lyrics
'Who killed cock robin?' is better described as a British folksong rather than a nursery rhyme. The Death of Cock Robin is frequently taken as a Robin Hood analogue and the ready offers of help following this event, as described in the lyrics, reflect the high esteem that the legendary figure of
Robin Hood was, and is, still held.
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