Mozart's starling

Here rests a bird called Starling,
a foolish little darling.
He was still in his prime
when he ran out of time.
And my sweet little friend
came to a bitter end.
Ahh
Gentle crowd, shed a tear,
for he was dear.
I bet he is now up on high,
praising my friendship to the sky.
For when he took his sudden leave
which brought to me such grief.
To a good companion.

/My condolences, Wolfgang.


For about three years, the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart kept a pet starling. The starling is remembered for the anecdote of how Mozart came to purchase it, for the funeral commemorations Mozart provided for it, and as an example of the composer's affection in general for birds.