Come Hither, Sweet Robin Lyrics
On a cold day, a child coaxes a shy robin to come close and eat some bread, promising that no one will hurt it and the cat is nowhere near.
Come Hither, Sweet Robin
Come hither, sweet robin,
And be not afraid,
I would not hurt even a feather;
Come hither, sweet robin,
And pick up some bread,
To feed you this very cold weather.
I don't mean to frighten you,
Poor little thing,
And pussy-cat is not behind me;
So hop about pretty,
And drop down your wing,
And pick up some crumbs,
And don't mind me.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/come-hither-sweet-robin/
- Type
- Animal Rhymes
- Tune
- Spoken rhyme
- Best for ages
- 2 to 7 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Come hither, sweet robin | Beckon gently with one finger. |
| And pick up some bread | Sprinkle pretend crumbs on the floor. |
| So hop about pretty | Hop with your feet together like a bird. |
| And don't mind me | Sit very still and quiet. |
What Does Come Hither, Sweet Robin Mean?
Hither means here, so "come hither" is come here. The child knows the robin is nervous, so the rhyme is full of promises: I won't hurt a feather, I won't frighten you, and the cat is not behind me. It is a lesson in being calm and quiet around wild birds, especially in cold weather when food is hard to find.
History and Origin
The rhyme comes from The Little Mother Goose (1912). It pairs well with The Little Robin Grieves, another winter rhyme about scattering crumbs to help robins through the snow.
Learning Activities
- Bird feeding: scatter crumbs or seed on a cold day and watch quietly from inside.
- Statue game: see who can keep still the longest, like the child waiting for the robin.
- Robin picture: paint a robin with a bright red breast.