The Robins
Reading edition
I.
(A child is heard singing “Chee-ree! Cheer-up.” Looking about, this way and that, mother sings.)
O, hark! that was a robin! I know his note of cheer! I’ve heard the dear “first robin,” And know that spring is here!—O, hark!
(Child enters, singing.)
Chee-ree, cheer-up! cheer-up, chee-ree! Cheer, cheer-you-up! cheer-you-up!
II.
(Mother sings.)
And fast new robins follow, New robins every day! O, hark, and hear them whistle Their cheerful, joyful lay!—O, hark!
(Children enter, singing robin refrain.)
III.
(Mother sings.)
These pretty, singing red-breasts Are trustful little dears; They come and build their dwellings By ours, and feel no fears.—O, hark!
(Children sing robin refrain.)
Nest Weaving.—Children, while marching, press the tips of the eight fingers together, then separate them with a downward circular movement, and bring them together again. The action is then reversed and repeated.
March with hops, stops, sudden starts and runs and tippings of the head.
Child leaves other robins with soaring lift of arms; then drooping hovering movements of hands.
March with robin steps—hops and runs—to seats.
IV.
(Mother sings.)
They go about the garden, And stroll upon the grass, And perk their little black caps Up at us as they pass.—O, hark!
(Children sing robin refrain.)
V.
(Mother sings.)
There flies a mother robin Up in the apple tree! See! o’er a nest she hovers Where her wee birdlings be.—O, hark!
(Children sing robin refrain.)
VI.
(Mother sings.)
Of all the birds, dear robin, ’Tis you are loved the best, Because you have, sweet robin, A warm heart in your breast.—O, hark!
(Children sing robin refrain.)
THE NIMBLE PENNIES.
Draw a small circle (around a small cent), and a large circle below and behind it (around a large copper cent, or two-cent piece, or silver quarter), as in the first two designs. Add eyes, mouth, legs and feet, as in the other designs, and a fat frog will smile up at you.
I’s a-runnin’ away, I is, I is; I’s a-goin’ to stay, I is, I is, Wiv my gamma all day, I is, I is!
M. Dunleath.