How The Mockingbird Got Its Name

Have you ever wondered how
The mockingbird got its name?
Why no matter what song another bird sings
The mockingbird can sound the same?

Well, listen my children and I will tell
A story from when time began
All about the lovely mockingbird
And how it got its name

On a bright and windy day
God the Father looked down to see
What was the noise that He could hear
Coming from His trees

It was the sound of His beautiful birds
But not a song of praise
The birds were all singing at once
What a noise they made!

Each one had a marvelous song
The Father created just for them
But there was none that could direct
The glorious morning hymn

The robin and sparrow could sing the lead
The owl sang bass with power
Harmony came from cardinal, crow and wren
But they all wanted to lead the choir

God the Father thought and thought
How best to solve this problem
He decided to hold auditions
And He began with the robin

The robin was a proud bird
Sure he was the best
He smoothed his wings, nodded his head
Puffed out his bright red chest

But although he sang with all his might
Until his neck was stretched
God only shook His head
And called the sparrow next

The sparrow cleared his throat and smiled
Ready to put on a show
But at the height of his very best song
The Father simply said, "No"

The next one up was the cardinal
In his scarlet vest and cap
But the cardinal missed his chance that day
For he was taking a nap

The tiny wren was now to sing
But for him too it was No
God knew the wren could never lead
With a voice so small and low

The owl's voice was much too deep
He would never be heard
Above the other songs being sung
And he only knew one word

The crow was the last to sing
With a voice so loud and rough
That God the Father covered His ears
And said, "Enough! Enough!"

"What shall I do" the Father said,
My choir must be heard!"
Then He had a wonderful thought
"I'll make a brand new bird!"

So He set to work with His mighty hands
To create a work of art
He selected feathers of soft, downy gray
Lovely white to cover the heart

The throat came next and it was filled
With the song of every bird
At last the Father had just one
Who knew all the words

He placed the bird on the leader's stump
And then called His choir
 But the other birds refused to sing
Their faces turning sour

Each one turned to the Father
The line was six birds long
Each one whispered in His ear
To tell Him what was wrong

The robin said, "What a silly-looking bird
His chest isn't even red"
The cardinal said, "What a long tail
And there's no knot on his head"

The owl said, "His voice will surely be high
With such a little throat"
The wren said, "He's not much to look at
With that dull gray coat"

The sparrow said, "His beak is so plain
He'll never be as beautiful as me"
The crow said, "What kind of voice can he have?
This I have to see!"

And the shy, gray bird knew what they said
For he understood every one
But he never complained to the Father
Just listened until they were done

They said if this bird could even sing
He'd only be a "mocking" bird
Would only be able to copy their songs
And pretend to sing their words

God waved His hands and all noise stopped
From the greatest to the least
And when all the earth was quiet and still
God began to speak

"All of you will be silent today
Every song will cease
Only one bird will sing my hymn
The rest will hold their peace"

The newest bird raised his head
And slowly closed his eyes
His song began with a single note
Then came a big surprise

First he sang the robin's song
Better than ever was heard
Next he sang like the sparrow and crow
And he knew every word

He sang the low notes of the owl
The high notes of the wren
The cardinal's song was the last to be sung
The bird stood silent then

God told the others, "No more will you sing
From this very hour
This bird can sing your songs himself
He doesn't need the choir!"

But the bird said, "Father, it's alright
I really don't mind you see
If they want to call me a mocking bird
Then that is what I'll be

"I only want to sing Your song
Your morning hymn to raise
And if the others may sing along
Our voices will lift in praise"

God the Father softly smiled
And each bird got back its part
He knew the new bird would feel that way
Because of his great big heart

So whenever you hear the birds you'll know
As dawn brings the morning hour
Listen closely and you will hear
The mockingbird leading the choir