In 1940 Shirley Temple appeared in a movie entitled "The Blue Bird (Of Happiness)." Before that, however, in 1939 in "The Wizard Of Oz" , Judy Garland sang "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" written by Arlen and Harburg. A verse of this song says: "Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, O why can't I?" This song would be picked as the number ONE greatest song of all time, from a movie, by "Songs Of The Century".
In 1941, while war was raging in England, and soon around the world, Walter Kent wrote a song having these words: "There'll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover, tomorrow, just you wait and see. There'll be love and laughter and peace ever after, tomorrow, when the world is free." Jimmy Dorsey would record it in 1942 and it became a big hit for the war years.
Unfortunately, there hasn't been love and laughter and peace ever after. One more problem: The bluebirds we see across North America are indigenous to us. There are not in England and did not come from there.
We have three species of bluebirds in the U.S. . I have been blessed in having seen all three. There is the eastern bluebird. Their range is the eastern two-thirds of the United States. The mountain bluebird ranges in the higher elevations from the Rockies to the Pacific, and from the Mexican border to Alaska. The western bluebird is, of course, in the western parts at lower elevations. They even wander into western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
The mountain bluebird is the bluest of the three. Even it's breast is a light blue to match the deep blue of it's back. The other two species will have a touch of rust. Unfortunately, Rockport does not have the bluebird. They come close; even as close as the Copano Bridge area. I saw some at an RV park one day.
Why songs about bluebirds? Because they are people birds. They are beautiful to see and listen to. They like being close to people. In fact, their survival, in part, is due to persons building bird houses for them. There is a bluebird society; North American Bluebird Society, that builds houses and hangs them out. There is a "bluebird trail" program that has been highly successful. There are some "trails" with hundreds of boxes. They all have to be cared for and cleaned out or repaired. It is a labor of love.
Several Years ago Leo and Rita Ward moved to Arkansas and began making from glass little bluebirds to sell at Branson and other places. They built Terra Studios on Highway 16 just out of Fayettville, Arkansas. People could watch the birds being made. They sold for $8.50. These little glass birds were so popular the Wards' sold three million dollars worth in a single year! They called the glass bird, "The Bluebird Of Happiness". If money makes one happy it was surely that for them. We know, however, money alone does not bring happiness.
I know Christians who are bluebird, like. They always have a song in their hearts. They care about people. They bring color and brightness into the lives of those around them. We can be old crows, or we can be bluebirds. Personally, I like bluebirds best!
( Our grandkids with the swine flu are much improved. We are thankful!)
