Said the robin to the sparrow,
“I should really like to know,
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.”
Said the sparrow to the robin,
“Friend I think that it must be,
That they have no Heavenly Father,
Such as cares for you and me.”
~~Unknown Author
I memorized this verse when a young girl from seeing it hanging upon the wall of a friend’s kitchen.
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Thanks for the words of this poem. I also have known it since childhood, but wanted to confirm the wording in a few places.
Comment by Sunroi — July 19, 2006 @ 12:50 pm
Since the publication of this post, I have since found that the author of this old poem is not “anonymous”, but seems to be Elizabeth Cheney and the poem she wrote was titled “Overheard In An Orchard”.
Comment by Neddy — August 10, 2006 @ 9:16 am
I’ve memorized this poem as a child from an old picture my mom had framed with the poem–I was wondering if anyone knows where this picture can be found?
Barbie
Comment by barbie — August 20, 2006 @ 10:05 am
When I was a young man the poem was on a plaque just above our wall phone and I read it each and every time I used the phone. I still qoute it often when I need these words of inspiration.
Comment by Jim Robbins — August 26, 2006 @ 9:00 am
I also memorized this poem when I was a young girl. I never forgot it, and was hoping to find it written somewhere again. It had been on a plaque that hung in our dining room near our phone. It seems this poem has meant a lot to many people and touched them when they were young. It was great to find the poem, and to hear about other peoples experiences much like my own.
Comment by Dorothy Bennett — September 21, 2006 @ 4:20 pm
Here’s a pic. I found. Just google ‘robin and sparrow’ under images if this doesn’t work. :)
charactersweb.ca/calligraphy.shtml
Comment by Lauri Mayberry — January 4, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
My Grandmother had this plaque in her kitchen and every time I visited her we would say this together. after she passed away I had the plaque for the longest time and then through many moves I lost it and have been looking for another one ever since. If I ever find another I will hang it in my kitchen by the window just like she had her’s.
Comment by pam — January 24, 2007 @ 9:17 am
I Love This Poem! I have it in my desk drawer.
Comment by Judy — March 27, 2007 @ 9:37 am
My first try on goggle, and I found the poem I was looking for. I am going to be the speaker at a mother daughter banquet at our church and I want to use this poem. Great!
Comment by Joy Grassu — March 28, 2007 @ 5:01 am
I first read this poem in my literature book while I was doing home schooling!! It was good, and I was really blessed. Thanks for posting it and the info about the author!
(i know this is post was posted 2 years ago, but I just thought I’d comment anyways).
Comment by Daniella Raj — March 29, 2007 @ 7:37 am
I also memorized this poem from a beautiful wall plaque hanging in my grandmother’s home. I found it recently in an old storage box and now have it hanging in my home. I am interested in the author, Elizabeth Cheney. How ironic that she so loved birds while our Vice President with the same last name takes such great pleasure in killing these lovely creatures.
Comment by Debby Castellitto — June 6, 2007 @ 1:02 am
In fairness to the VP, he was hunting game birds, not killing robins and sparrows for pleasure. All of God’s creatures can be lovely in appearance, including chickens, turkeys and lambs, which also can taste delicious when harvested as food.
Comment by Neddy — June 6, 2007 @ 8:20 am
The author is Elizabeth Cherry. I love this poem…
Comment by Rachel — July 21, 2007 @ 10:58 am
WHEN I SAW THE ROBINS PICKING IN THE FLOWER BED AND GRASS EARLY THIS MORNING I THOUGHT OF THIS POEM . WHAT A BLESSING.
Comment by JOE R. FORD — March 10, 2008 @ 7:55 am
Thank you for posting the words!
I learned them from a friend who sang this as a song, but have since forgotten some of them, but remebered the tune. Thanks again, you made my day!
Comment by Cynna — May 12, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
Where Can I get a framed copy of this
Comment by Nelma Korthals — June 19, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
I truly love this poem. When I was little me and my sister would spend weekends with our grandparents, they had this poem hanging on our bedroom wall. Our grandparents have long past and me and my sister have been trying to remember the words to the poem, together we were able to piece it together. Does anyone know where we can find a plaque with this poem on it? I would love to surprise my sister and get it for her as a gift as well as one for myself. I took a chace a googled it, I couldn’t believe I found the words. Please let me know where I can find a plaque.
Comment by Tami — June 24, 2008 @ 8:18 am
there is a 2nd verse I know “So the Robin and the sparrow Sang their chorus, Oh how sweet,don’t you know that Jesus loves you, come and gather at His feet. He who feeds the Robin red breast, He who marks the sparrows fall, He’s the one who died to save you. Come and trust Him one and all”
Comment by trish lear — July 7, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
I too would like to find the plaque. I can see it plainly in my Mothers farm house kitchen. Any one find it yet……..Let me know
Comment by Sharen — August 30, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
It was on a platter to keep waxed flowers in when I was a kid in the 50″s and has helped me through all my rough patches in life ever since.
Comment by gail — September 15, 2008 @ 3:50 pm
The Robin and Sparrow was one of the many poems my Mother would sing, say and read to her family when we were children. Several years ago I wrote, Illustrated the poems and dedicated the poetry book to her with all the familiar old poems and sayings. I had 22 books printed for her children and grandchildren. I did the book in Calligraphy with the illustrations in crayon.
Comment by audrey Jervis — September 18, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
to comment # 11 Debbie Castellitto I am desperately look for this plaque with both the robin and sparrow and apple blossoms. In was my Mom’s hanging in kitchen. Is there some way I can get in touch with you? Sharen at gatheringleaves@msn.com
Comment by Sharen — November 20, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
I have the Robin poem memorized and say it often. Another one that has been a real inspiration to me is this one:
“BEYOND OUR ASKINIG”!
More than hearts can imagine
or minds comprehend,
God’s bountiful gifts
are ours without end—
We ask for a cupful
when the vast sea is ours
We pick a small rosebud
from a garden of flowers,
We reach for a sunbeam
but the sun still abides,
We draw one short breath
but there’s air on all sides —
Whatever we ask for
falls short of God’s giving
For His greatness exceeds
every facet of living,
And always God’s ready
and eager and willing
To pour out His mercy
completely fulfilling
Just give Him a chance
to open His treasures
And He’ll fill your life
with unfathomable pleasures,
Pleasures that never
grow worn out and faded
And leave us depleted
disillusioned and jaded—
For God has a “storehouse”
just filled to the brim
With all that man needs
if we’ll only ask Him!
Hopefull you will find it an inpiration as well.
Comment by Fe Erickson — January 13, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
Hey guys, My Dad’s name is Massie Tice and he was in a band back in the sixties called Morning Star Band, they used to sing a song called Robin and The Sparrow with music to these same lyrics. Just thought I’d throw that out there. Have a good one.
Comment by Manasseh David Israel — March 12, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
I just learned of Overheard In An Orchard and I am surprised I haven’t heard of it earlier. I am definitely going to keep this around for my young son and Sunday school class. I am definitely going to commit Beyond Our Asking to memory. Thanks for sharing those poems.
Comment by Kimberly Herrington — March 16, 2009 @ 9:02 am