A reader has shared her observation of a blackbird singing recognizable musical tunes, prompting a query about whether others experience similar phenomena. Jane Horne, writing from Farnham, Surrey, described how this year's local blackbird has been performing the opening notes of "Dames" from the musical 42nd Street. The song's lyrics, "What do you go for / Go see a show for?" are echoed by the bird's melody, to which she finds herself replying, "Tell the truth / You go to see those beautiful dames."
Previous Years' Melodies
Horne noted that a few years ago, the same blackbird sang the first few notes of the iconic theme from the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. She remarked on the repetitiveness of the song but expressed a deep sense of loss when it stops, eagerly awaiting the first blackbird of the new year. Her letter was inspired by Josie George's article in the Guardian's Country diary on 29 June, which discussed a resident blackbird and its song.
Invitation for Shared Experiences
Horne's letter invites other readers to share if they also detect well-known tunes in blackbird song, highlighting the personal connection and joy these avian performances bring. The Guardian's letters section encourages further contributions from readers with opinions on published content.
