On Hearing A Magpie Singing In The Night

On a damp night in late Winter three weeks from the Spring On a gum tree in the Townpark a male magpie sing Near the busy highway where cars and trucks pass up and down He is piping his notes at the top of the town 'Tis not for any joy at the coming of Spring Or for love of song the black and white bird does sing He only pipes for to proclaim territory At this time of year few as aggressive as he His warbling notes one could never get wrong The one who was born with a beautiful song To keep males of his own kind from his borders away In his breeding Season he sings night and day The rain falls in drizzles the sky it is dark And the magpie he sing on a tree in the park.