The Snow-shower Lyrics
A child at the window sees crumbs flying through the air and is glad for the birds. The mother says it is snowing, so there is nothing for the birds, and explains that the cold is coming, the snowflakes fall from the clouds, and frost has changed the rain to snow.
The Snow-shower
"See, mamma, the crumbs are flying
Fast and thickly through the air;
On the branches they are lying,
On the walks and everywhere.
Oh, how glad the birds will be,
When so many crumbs they see!"
"No, my little girl, 'tis snowing,
Nothing for the birds is here;
Very cold the air is growing,
'Tis the winter of the year:
Frost will nip the robins' food,
'Twill no more be sweet and good.
"See the clouds the skies that cover;
'Tis from them the snowflakes fall,
Whitening hills and fields all over,
Hanging from the fir-trees tall.
Were it warm, 'twould rain; but lo,
Frost has changed the rain to snow."
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/the-snow-shower/
- Type
- Poems for Children
- Tune
- Two voices: an excited child first, then a calm, explaining parent
- Best for ages
- 3 to 7 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| 'Tis from them the snowflakes fall, | Wiggle your fingers down from above your head like falling snow. |
| Whitening hills and fields all over, | Sweep both hands slowly across in front of you. |
What Does The Snow-shower Mean?
The poem is a little conversation about a mistake that makes sense. The child looks out and sees white bits flying fast and thick, and says the crumbs are flying. It looks like a feast for the birds. The mother answers kindly with the real facts: 'tis snowing, the air is growing very cold, and winter has come.
The last verse gives a plain account of snow. The clouds cover the skies, the flakes fall from them, and the snow hangs from the fir-trees. Were it warm, 'twould rain, but frost has changed the rain to snow. The mother also says that the frost will nip the robins' food, which is why the birds will not be glad after all. The verse does not say more than that.
History and Origin
This dialogue is in a small book of verses for young children called Songs for the Little Ones at Home, dated 1884 and revised in 1911.
Learning Activities
- Snow or crumbs?: next time snow falls, ask the child what it looks like before saying what it is.
- Window watch: look out of a window at snow or rain and say which one is falling and why.
- Bird table: put out seeds and fresh water for the birds in cold weather, and watch who visits.
- Snow words: collect words for snow in a list: flakes, crumbs, white, soft, cold.