Iliff-King phrasebook Iliff-King phrasebook

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definition

we are the cockyolly birds all red and green and gold song/verse fragment

Fragment of a song Evelyn suddenly burst into after it sat dormant and unsung in her memory for 40 years

Origin

The Cockyolly Bird is a 1919 play by Mabel Dearmer with music by Martin Shaw. The only associated song title found is The Bubble Song, for which lyrics have not been surfaced.

OED defines cockyolly bird as “An affectionate term or pet name for any small bird”

Collector

Evelyn – 1960s?
Evelyn King (Joyce Collard) – mother of Naomi, Francis, Clare & Jeremy

Notes

The 1973 Enid Blyton book The Bad Cockyolly Bird is absolved of any connection

Submitted: 07/03/2022 by Mark

comments

 My parents used to sing this song. We are the cocky Ollie birds all red and blue and gold. We come to you on penny trays all ready to be sold. Our wooden legs are stiff and straight. We cannot move a limb. But our looks are proud, our voice is loud. And still we always sing... (And repeat...). I've not been able to find it anywhere either.

—Peter M, 22 May 2026

 @Peter M: Lovely!

—MI, 22 May 2026

any thoughts?

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