Oh, what’s wrong with the Whippoorwill,
Sitting and crying on the far-off hill?
And what’s the matter with Miss Bob White,
Choking herself, saying “Good-night”?
You know something’s not right,
When they sing that sad song at night.
Half a call, half a cry,
They must be telling a tale that makes you sigh.
Miss Whippoorwill’s troubles can wait for another day,
But let me tell you why Miss Bob White is feeling this way.
There was a time, not long ago,
When she didn’t hide her nest or keep it low.
She built it in the open, easy to see,
And was as polite as she could be.
She’d make her house facing east and west,
Then fill her nest with eggs, doing her best.
She’d keep them warm, sitting all day,
And make sure her house stayed dry that way.
While this was going on, Brer Rabbit came by,
Wiggling his mouth and blinking his eye.
“Good morning, Miss Bob,” he said with cheer.
“And the same to you, Brer Rabbit, my dear.”
Brer Rabbit said, “I haven’t seen you in a while.
I was worried something was wrong, not your usual style.
But here you sit, quiet as a mouse,
Not doing much, just keeping house!”
“Oh well,” said she, “I’m too old to roam,
I used to do it, but now I stay home!
The only thing I want is to wash my dress,
But I can’t do that while I’m on my nest.”
Brer Rabbit offered, “Can’t I help you out?
I’m not doing much, just walking about.
My old woman says if sitting’s the thing,
I’m the best there is—I’m Old Man Sit!”
“I’m sure of it,” said Miss Bob White,
“If you sit, it’ll be done right.”
“Thank you, Miss Bob! Go wash your dress,
And I’ll do my best to watch your nest!”
So off she went, with a flutter and a flap,
And washed her dress in some clean dirt, just like that.
Brer Rabbit saw the eggs and shook his head,
His mouth started to water, and his eyes turned red.
“This would be hard to match,” he said with glee,
“So I’ll just take them home and hatch them for me!”
So he did just that, and when he came back,
He moved at a pace between a walk and a quick dash.
Miss Bob White, after washing her dress,
Rushed back to her house and nest.
“Thank you, Brer Rabbit,” she said with a bow.
“No need to thank me, ma’am, not now.
I was just here, fretting and sweating,
Worried I wasn’t good at sitting.
My old woman says I’ve got a slow fever,
And honestly, I’m starting to believe her!
“I felt something move, I heard something run,
And now the eggs are gone—not a single one!
I’ve seen a lot, and I’ve heard folks talk,
But I’ve never seen eggs get up and walk!”
“My goodness!” said Miss Bob White,
Peeking into the nest, “You’re right!”
And ever since then, when darkness falls,
She gives her lost babies her Good-night calls!
And ever since then, when darkness falls,
She gives her lost babies her Good-night calls!
