“WHO KILLED COCK ROBIN?”, TOLLCROSS
The rhyme, “Who Killed Cock Robin?”
has a rather peculiar association with Tollcross, and one which has been
reinforced recently. It
rather grimly describes the death of a bird, cock robin, and the reaction of
other birds and animals to it. It
opens with the lines;
“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.”
It proceeds in this vein, with a variety of birds and other creatures describing the roles they will undertake to bury the poor robin.
The connection with Tollcross became established with the production of a glass encased exhibit of stuffed birds and other animals, composed into a tableau representing the rhyme. Whatever present day views on the suitability of using animals for such a purpose, the exhibit was a major attraction over the years at Tollcross Mansion while it was used as a Children’s Museum, and it became embedded in the memory and hearts of many local folk who saw it. The showcase went missing when the museum closed in 1972, but turned up again some years later in the storage vaults of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. It was restored and now circulates around libraries and schools on loan.
The subject of the rhyme – cock robin - has been the topic of debate over the centuries. Its earliest known publication has been put at 1800 and it has been suggested that it was written as a political satire on the political career of the early 18th century Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole (1676-1745). However, the “rhymes” website advises that it is “best described as an English folksong or poem rather than a nursery rhyme. The words….are said to refer to the death of the legendary figure of Robin Hood, and not that of a bird….The words ..…describe how help was offered from all quarters following the death of cock robin thus reflecting the high esteem in which Robin was held by the common folk.” The name “Robin” is highly significant in English legends being applied to such characters as Robin Hood as well as Robin Goodfellow (Shakespeare’s fairy, Puck).
The link with Tollcross was continued in 2005 when Tollcross Housing Association commissioned a new feature for the gates to Tollcross Park from the sculptor, Andy Scott. This was installed at the Tollcross Road/Wellshot Road junction and formed part of the Association’s programme of streetscape improvements. The design incorporates elements from the rhyme, and the characters represented within it can be discerned in the galvanised metalwork. “Cock Robin” now has a more visible and permanent presence in Tollcross than it has had for many years.
www.rhymes.org.uk
© 2005 Gordon Adams
