The Kites and the Swans — Nursery Rhyme Lyrics

The Kites of old time had, equally with the Swans, the privilege of song. But having heard the neigh of the horse, they were so enchanted with the sound, that they tried to imitate it; and, in trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing.
The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings.

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Learning from "The Kites and the Swans"

Nursery rhymes are some of the best teachers of rhythm and rhyme. "The Kites and the Swans" uses 2 lines to create a memorable verse — proof that effective poetry doesn't need to be long. Pay attention to the meter: the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables is what makes the rhyme stick in your head.

Songwriters and poets can borrow these patterns. Try writing your own lyrics using the same rhyme scheme and line length as this nursery rhyme. You can also use words from the poem above as starting points — click any word to find rhymes or look up its definition, then build from there.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the words to The Kites and the Swans?
The lyrics to The Kites and the Swans are: The Kites of old time had, equally with the Swans, the privilege of song. But having heard the neigh of the horse, they were so enchanted with the sound, that they tried to imitate it; and, in trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing. / The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings.
How many lines does The Kites and the Swans have?
"The Kites and the Swans" has 2 lines of verse.

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