This week Shauna and Dan sing our swansong. Once again, we should have saved this type of phrase for the end of our show, but we have many more episodes still to come. Bonus: Merry madrigals, da Vinci's note books, and parodic poems about parting
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Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
Episode 283: Swansong
Record Date: June 12, 2025
Air Date: July 2, 2025
Intro
Dan:
Welcome to Bunny Trails, a whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase.
I’m Dan Pugh
Shauna:
And I’m Shauna Harrison
Each week we take an idiom or other turn of phrase and try to tell the story from its entry into the English language, to how it’s used today.
Opening Hook
I didn’t follow every moment of basketball as a kid, but I clearly remember Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s final season in 1989. Every arena honored him - not just with applause, but with gifts… a rocking chair here, golf clubs there… even skis. He was still playing, but no longer dominating. The season had become a farewell tour, a tribute to a legendary career nearing its end. That season was his swansong.
Meaning
According to Oxford English Dictionary, a swansong is:
Quote
A song like that traditionally believed to be sung by a swan that is about to die; the last work of a musician, poet, writer, etc., typically composed shortly before death; (later more generally) any final performance, action, or effort.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/swansong_n?tab=meaning_and_use#1328373970
The belief that a swan would finally utter sound at the end of its life has been around since at least the early 1500s
c.1500
The idea appears in the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, where he records observations on nature, animals, and human behavior, from around 1500. He writes notes about various creatures and shares random thoughts and poems. This section is written almost as a dictionary. Here is his entry for Swan,
Quote
The swan
is white without any spot,
and it sings sweetly as it dies,
its life ending with that song.
End quote
http://www.fullbooks.com/The-Notebooks-of-Leonardo-Da-Vinci-Complete13.html
Here, da Vinci describes the swan’s final song as a natural fact… this could be an indication that the belief had already taken hold as accepted wisdom in Renaissance thought.
As I mentioned, da Vinci had various other entries in his notebooks. And we’re going to take a look at some of these others in our behind the scenes which airs every Friday on Patreon. You can find it at Patreon.com/BunnyTrailsPod.
1596
The term swan song appears in the revised edition of Albions England, a long poetic chronicle by William Warner, published in 1596. Warner was an English poet and lawyer known for blending myth, legend, and history in accessible verse. Here is an excerpt:
Quote
But now must end our Swan-song, now the Swan himselfe must end.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/swansong_n?tab=meaning_and_use#1328373970
Here, the phrase is used figuratively to signal a final act or farewell.
1612
The swan-song motif appears in The Silver Swan, a madrigal composed by Orlando Gibbons and published in his collection First Set of Madrigals and Motets of 5 Parts, published in 1612. The lyrics describe a swan that remains silent until it sings once—at the moment of death.
Quote
THE silver swan, who living had no note,
When death approached unlocked her silent throat ;
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
Thus sung her first and last, and sung no more :
Farewell, all joys ; O death, come close mine eyes ;
More geese than swans now live, more fools than wis
End quote
https://archive.org/stream/englishmadrigalv00felliala/englishmadrigalv00felliala_djvu.txt
Although the phrase itself isn’t used here, the imagery is unmistakable. The swan’s final song isn’t just referenced — it’s the entire point of the verse, showing that the idea was already well known and poetically resonant by the early 1600s.
1618
The concept appears in “Why do I, dying, live” by composer Thomas Bateson, published in his Second Set of Madrigals, 1618.
Quote
WHY do I, dying, live and see my life bereft me ?
Why do I doubt to die and see death only left me .?
The enlargement of my better self by Nature's foe
Confines my hapless life to never-dying woe.
Immured in sorrow's hold, I only see the light
Of all my joys wrapped up in horror's blackest night.
Then like Meander swans before my death
In fatal notes I'll sigh my latest breath.
End quote
https://archive.org/stream/englishmadrigalv00felliala/englishmadrigalv00felliala_djvu.txt
Here, the swan's final song is used as a poetic image of death itself — further evidence that the idea was deeply embedded in the cultural imagination.
1780-1782
The phrase appears in the title of Ossian Singing His Swan Song, an oil painting by Nicolai Abildgaard, created between 1780 and 1782. The work depicts the legendary bard Ossian delivering one final, haunting song before death — a visual rendering of the poetic myth of the swan’s last song. Here is a description of the piece,
Quote
The aged poet sits surrounded by spectral figures, arms raised and mouth open mid-verse, as if releasing one final utterance into the spirit world.
End quote
https://museumprints.com/products/av-401890mt-nicolai-abraham-abildgaard-ossian-singing-his-swan-song-1780-1782?variant=39845460082774
Here, the phrase is used in a literal and symbolic sense — naming the artwork and capturing the mythic idea of a final, transcendent performance before death
1857
The phrase appears in The Life of Handel by Victor Schoelcher, excerpted in the “New Publications” section of the New-York Daily Tribune, November 26, 1857, out of New York, US. Here is the section that mentions our term,
Quote
In February, 1752, Handel produced “Jephthe,” which was destined to prove the swan-song of the great composer. He had already experienced symptoms of blindness, and after submitting three times to a painful operation, he found that his sight was irrecoverably gone.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030213/1857-11-26/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1802&index=0&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=swan-song&proxdistance=5&date2=1857&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=swansong&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
Here, “swan-song” is used to mark the song as Handel’s final artistic contribution, connecting the term to creative legacy and loss.
1884
The phrase appears in a feature titled Songs of Sentiment in The Daily Morning Astorian, October 26, 1884, out of Oregon, United States, reflecting on the emotional weight of older ballads. Here is an excerpt,
Quote
They were the swan-songs of beating hearts in many cases, and in their burden of sadness revealed the secret of a troubled life.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn96061150/1884-10-26/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1838&index=13&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=swan-songs&proxdistance=5&date2=1900&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=swansong&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
Swan-songs is used convey the deeply personal and emotional final expressions behind the music of earlier generations. There may have been some nostalgia going on… but that’s not uncommon. They just don’t make music like they used to. And I suppose that’s always been true.
1937
The phrase appears in The Washington Times, September 20, 1937, out of Washington, D.C., US, in a back-to-school piece describing the first day of classes students,
Quote
Hands folded and feet under the desk, some 90,000 Washington school pupils bawled this traditional swansong to summer as classes opened today.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026749/1937-09-20/ed-1/seq-17/#date1=1929&sort=relevance&date2=1950&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&index=1&words=swansong&proxdistance=5&rows=20&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=swansong&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=2
Here, the phrase is used playfully to mark the ceremonial end of summer break for schoolchildren. It had become so familiar and widespread that it could be slipped casually into everyday descriptions—even something as routine as the first day of school.
We have several modern uses to cover and we’ll get to those, right after we say thank you to our sponsors.
A Quick Thank You
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Modern Uses
2015
The phrase appears as the title of Swansong 1945: A Collective Diary of the Last Days of the Third Reich, authored by Walter Kempowski and translated by Shaun Whiteside, published in April 2015. Here is an excerpt describing the book’s scope:
Quote
Swansong 1945 chronicles the end of Nazi Germany and World War II in Europe through hundreds of letters, diaries, and autobiographical accounts covering four days that fateful spring: Hitler’s birthday on April 20, American and Soviet troops meeting at the Elbe on April 25, Hitler’s suicide on April 30, and finally the German surrender on May 8.
End quote
https://www.amazon.com/Swansong-1945-Collective-Diary-Third/dp/0393248151
Freelance writer Bill Marvel gave a perfect summation in his review of the book which was published in The Dallas Morning News,
Quote
In all, this is a book that can be read comfortably only page by page. Otherwise it will break your heart.
End quote
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/books/2015/04/25/history-review-swansong-1945-a-collective-diary-of-the-last-days-of-the-third-reich-by-walter-kempowski/
Honestly, I struggled to read the synopsis or reviews.
2021
One modern use of the phrase appears in Swan Song, a film directed by Benjamin Cleary, released in 2021. It explores themes of sacrifice, family, and the emotional journey of facing mortality.
The phrase is reflected in the story of Cameron, played by Mahershala Ali, a husband and father diagnosed with a terminal illness who is given an alternative solution by his doctor, played by Glenn Close, to spare his family grief.
https://youtu.be/LxftqrrlSqc?si=1JqOR6uxNaQsSDed
Swan Song is a powerful, emotional journey about how far we go and what we sacrifice for those we love.
2023
One modern use of the phrase appears in Swan Song, a 2023 bronze sculpture by artist Koak. This evocative work captures the poignant tension between beauty and finality, reflecting on themes of farewell and transition. Through its form and material, Swan Song invites contemplation on how endings can hold a quiet strength and grace.
https://altmansiegel.com/artists/38-koak/works/8862-koak-swan-song-2023/
2024
The article 30 Swan Song Book Club Questions and Reading Guide by Julianne Buonocore was posted May 22, 2024 on The Literary Lifestyle website. It discusses the book Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand. Here is part of the article,
Quote
June 2024’s Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand brings an extravagant new couple, the Richardsons, to Nantucket. However, before summer’s end, their flashy multi-million dollar estate burns to the ground, and their personal concierge goes missing.
This swiftly thwarts longtime police chief Ed Kapenash’s retirement plans, who becomes embroiled in the investigation one last time.
It’s a good book club book for [Hildebrand] because it blends everything her readers crave into one final narrative: characters we know and love, Nantucket references, pop culture references, summer fun, drama, romance, mystery, and “rich people problems.” In addition, she incorporated the most extravagant parties I’ve ever read about: the pink and white party!
Book club readers can discuss themes like wealth disparity, community dynamics, personal transformation, and the impact of newcomers on a tight-knit society.
End quote
https://theliterarylifestyle.com/30-swan-song-book-club-questions-and-reading-guide-pdf/
2024
The phrase appears in Swan Songs #6, the finale issue of the SWAN SONGS miniseries, published January 10, 2024. This 32-page, mature-rated comic book blends dark humor and parody as it offers a morose take on a beloved children’s poetry collection.
Quote
MINISERIES FINALE
‘THE END OF THE SIDEWALK’
The end of the end of the series about endings.
Here, the team behind ICE CREAM MAN creates something only they could—a dark, morose take on a beloved book of children’s poems. It’s an ICE CREAM MAN CROSSOVER; a parodic play with near-perfect rhyme scheme; the terminal issue of a bunch of…terminal issues.
The end is here; we hope you enjoy our swan song.
End quote
https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/swan-songs-6-of-6
In this case, the phrase is used self-referentially as the creators close the series with a final, thematically fitting issue.
2024
The phrase appears in Swan Song, a documentary film shared by the Center for Contemporary Arts on July 26, 2024. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the National Ballet of Canada as it prepares a new production of Swan Lake.
The film focuses on ballet icon Karen Kain as she directs the company on the eve of her retirement, capturing both the creative process and the dancers’ personal lives.
Quote
“An immersive, behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s leading ballet companies as it mounts a new production of Swan Lake. Ballet icon Karen Kain, on the eve of her retirement, directs the National Ballet of Canada.”
End quote
https://ccasantafe.org/event/swan-song/
The phrase is used here to emphasize the bittersweet transition as Karen Kain prepares to step away from the spotlight.
Wrap up:
There’s something quietly beautiful about the idea of a swansong. It’s not just about endings, but about how we choose to meet them. Whether it’s a final game, a last performance, or a moment when everything feels both fragile and fierce, that closing act carries a kind of grace. It makes me think about the moments in life when we know the curtain is falling—not with regret, but with a sense of meaning, even celebration. Maybe the real gift is how we hold those last notes, whatever they may be.
Shauna:
That’s about all we have for today. If you have any thoughts on the show, or pop culture references we should have included, reach out to us on Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod, or comment on our website, bunnytrailspod.com
Dan:
It’s poll time!
Recently we asked our Patrons, What is your favorite nut for snacking?
Cashews took first place, closely followed by Pistachios and Almonds, and then Peanuts. Only a small but mighty group went for mixed nuts, and walnuts didn’t get much love at all.
Mary said:
Quote
My grandma used to buy me a box of cashews from the Nifty Nuthouse every Christmas. There’s something about the texture and flavor that I just love (in addition to the memories).
End Quote
The Nifty Nut house is a wonderful place. They are currently on their 3rd generation of this family-owned candy store known for making their own fudge and roasting their own nuts since they started in 1937. If you are ever in Wichita, make plans to visit. Even Alton Brown, creator and host of the Food Network television show Good Eats, calls the Nifty Nut House a national treasure. And Kansans agree.
http://www.kansastravel.org/wichita/niftynuthouse.htm
Shauna:
Jan added
Quote
I picked pistachios because i liked the texture and they are the most fun to open. I am not as fond of them when they are already shelled. Truth be known, I like all nuts a lot. So the real answer is mixed nuts.
End quote
Personally, I love pistachios. My very favorite is cashews or almonds with craisins or dried blueberries. So good!
Dan:
I love pistachios, especially the ones still in the shell. I like separating them and then snacking on them. It gives me something to do besides just stuffing my face. I also like roasted almonds and peanuts. I’ll pass on most other nuts. Though I really like seeds. Mostly with little chunks of cheese.
As a reminder, our silly polls mean absolutely nothing and are not scientifically valid. And patrons of all levels, including our free tiers, can take part. Head over to patreon.com/bunnytrailspod to take this week’s poll!
Outro
Dan:
Thanks for joining us. We’ll talk to you again next week. Until then remember,
Together:
Words belong to their users.
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