Ode to Ozma

I'm very sad to tell you all that our dear chicken Ozma has died. We're not sure what happened, but she fell ill and passed away within a few short days. She lived a very happy life, and we were blessed to know her while she was here. This is a tune I picked out on piano a few years ago when Ozma was a chick. I found it while was going back through old pictures of her, and it seemed fitting to play as a sendoff for her. I'm in C tuning. Didn't do much by way of arranging or polishing this. It's sad that she was just becoming a regular fixture on the channel, and now that you've all started growing fond of her, she's gone. There'll never be another chicken like her, but we'll play on in her honor. I buried her in the corner of the yard where she liked to sunbathe, and I'm going to get a memorial shrub or something to plant above her grave. She was only a few years old. I know everything has to die sometime, but its still really sad.

[@Panicagq2]

People don't realize what sweet critters chickens are. Thank you for her lovely song - she's already missed.

[@rogermcadams8806]

Oh Pheobe! Once again just got home from work and so needed that! I'm a old dog learning new tricks ( banjo my latest is a 1897 Stewart wearing nylgut strings ). I can nail it sometimes then try and record myself and mess up but I swear I think this 'Ode to my favorite chicken ' is superb! You go girl! 😊

[@glvarner]

Ozma came into your life when she was supposed to, when you needed her, and she left when her job was done, and you learned from her friendship. We will miss her antics. You are in our hearts.

[@johnpickens448]

I came back to this wonderful dedication to Ozma this week because my father would have had his 100th birthday. RIP, Dad. It is hard to imagine a more beautiful musical tribute. Thanks for this.

[@gwiyomikim5988]

I remember many years ago Steve Martin saying how hard it was to play a sad song on the happy sounding banjo. Well it might be hard, but it can be done. I see that today with the ode to your friend Ozma. It was beautiful.

[@piguy3point14]

Feels more like hope. 😊

[@hopefulnice]

​@@piguy3point14 yes, hopeful! I tend to feel a strange underlying optimism during phases of mourning, and this composition lends itself really well to that particular complexity. So beautiful...

[@lizwrites2463]

I’ve only started following your work in the past few weeks but it was immediately clear Ozma was a special chicken. I’m sorry to hear of her passing. This is a beautiful tribute. She will be remembered.

[@mrmoose7844]

It breaks my heart to hear the news. I'm so very sorry. I'm an old chicken lover for 80 years. I used to set on the fence of the chicken yard and listen to them sing when I was a kid on the farm. 😢

[@nadeembitar5292]

Sure, Kentucky Fried lover.

[@otto8049]

Im retired and have a small holding. My chickens keep me company in the greenhouse and the garden. I love them and Id be willing to say they show love in return. My kind of life and music. Thank you.

[@stephanieg6680]

Beautiful song, played with passion 🎵🎵🎵

[@peakdavid]

I loved seeing Ozma prance and dance in your videos. Thanks for this tribute.

[@mowu9731]

Such a nice song… may Ozma rest in peace 🐓 God has obtained a beautiful creature in heaven 💗💗 I wish you the best !!

[@ASennaFan]

Sorry for your loss. It breaks my wife’s heart when one of her chickens pass. This is a beautiful tribute to Ozma.

[@Magpie7070]

I know it sounds cliche, but dying is a part of living, and we all have to do it. I realize this doesn't lessen the sadness, but here we are. Your farewell to Ozma is fitting and sweet. You strike me as a warm and caring person, and that's better than gold.

[@saffral]

We'll miss you, Ozma.

[@echotango3598]

Ozma 😥 This is a really beautiful sendoff

[@JamesOrcutt1]

I raised my hens from chicks too, a racoon got in the coop one night and got sunny, my buff orpington I loved that chicken like a dog. I never thought I would care so much for a chicken. Looks like yours had a great life full of music

[@jeffreyvalentine9171]

Miss Phoebe you’re a natural born player. Love that tune which you embraced to become one with the banjo. Your hen made me chuckle. Thanks for sharing your skills.

[@jomy10-games]

It’s hard losing an animal, this was a wonderful tribute to Ozma

[@tripslaughter5101]

You are busting that song out 👍👍👍👍

[@nadeembitar5292]

The song stands on it's own to be used in many other contexts.

[@KatherineMidgley]

So sorry for your loss, Phoebe. You certainly gave her a good life!

[@color-head1696]

So nice to see you "getting lost" in the music maybe thinking about Ozma, death, life in general then coming back at 5:58 looking into the cam realising you landed on earth again I really enjoy listening to your honest playing style and pure presentation sorry for your loss ... Im sure Ozma felt your playing and you made her happy!

[@l.williams6249]

Aww Ozma😢 I lost my rooster Jedediah and I feel your loss. You couldn’t have given her a better tribute🪕🎶❤

[@richardunicorn7879]

Wonderful tribute to Ozma. I feel your sorrow, Phoebe. It's hard to lose a pet. RIP Ozma❤🐔

[@patricksweeny4373]

Excellent! All chickens go to Heaven, so Ozma is listening to you!

[@ramakisoradasa5814]

Sorry for your loss, pets are family. RIP Ozma ❤🙏

[@BigCheeseRumble]

Oh no, no, no! I am so sorry, Phoebe. Ozma was a beautiful chicken. I pray that someday the pain you're feeling now will be replaced with happy memories.

[@_uncredited]

Now that's a song to keep on playin' for a long time yet. Fantastic tune. Salute, Ozma.

[@BrokeTheInterweb]

I'm so sorry to hear, Phoebe. I fell in love with Ozma just a week ago and can't believe she's gone already. This was a lovely tribute.

[@libbyb3006]

Ozma you will be missed I'm sorry for your loss Phoebe

[@juleswins3]

Very sorry to learn of Ozma’s passing. She truly was a beautiful example of her breed.😢

[@tylerjgifford]

Losing an animal is a hard thing to go through, even though we know it's coming. Sorry to hear that Phoebe. Just know that Ozma lived a better life than your average chicken could ever dream of thanks to you. Pretty tune, and my condolences. 🙏

[@mhsandifer]

Condolences from our family and flock; Jan, Marsha, Cindy & Nugget

[@georgem7965]

So sorry to hear about your loss. That is the curse of humans and animals, we love them but outlive them. Too many goodbyes. But I beleive that they will be waiting for us on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge (and probably asking what took us so long to get there and did we bring treats).

[@thecrittercuzzins7471]

Sorry youngin, good tribute to Ozma, God bless you today,

[@Dave-ty2qp]

That was simply beautiful Phoebe. Thank you for sharing that with us.

[@nealliske7700]

You are beautiful and connected to the divine grace on earth ❤

[@srenhaandbk7904]

Such a heartfelt perfomance, she got a worthy salute - may she rest in peace.

[@ideamissing]

There are no promises in this life, nothing is certain. We only know that some get called and some get to stay a while. Your feathered friend won't know the grief felt by those she left behind, but we commit her to the other side with a glad heart, for within each seed, there is the promise of a flower, and within each death, no matter how small, there is always new life, a new beginning. your musical tribute is beautiful and i hope tomorrow is a better day.

[@toysfromspace]

We have chickens, too. It's hard to lose a friend. Beautiful tribute to her.

[@markperrin1016]

Whooo ! Beautiful Song. A range of emotions in it . Thank you. I am going to play it again as soon as I share my thanks and a little story...(abridged ) My friends had a hen and I be came friends with it . I would help her forage for food in their backyard by picking up things so it could get underneath and just hang out together. One day they called me and said one of their cats was deathly ill and asked if would i come over and be with it. I spent the night with it comforting it and when the sun was rising the cat wanted to go outsidde, so i pickef it up and we went and sat outside. After a while I could see that the cat was in its last moments and was ready to vacate its shell. I held it in my lap and hands and suddenly there walked up my friend ,the hen, who had been wandering around ...she approached very close to us and examined the cat and when that cat expelled its last breath, well...If i could describe the "look" the hen gave as her gaze met mine ... And the sun's morning rays shining perfectly on us ...aachh..a joyful tear now falls just as it did in that moment. We shared a depth that goes beyond simple form ..the three of us... Thanks for the jam dear. The smile that came across your lovely face as the chicken crossed the camera here says it all.

[@irishpsalteri]

Rare the bird mourned as well as Ozma was. Our animals take a bit of us when they go, it is hard, our sympathy to you.

[@Bigfoottehchipmunk]

I am sorry for your loss, Phoebe. What a lovely memorial song. 💔 We recently lost our oldest hen, Robin, and though she was a dear old matron of the flock, I don't think she was even quite as beloved as your sweet Ozma.

[@jannabalthaser]

You are a very kind and caring person. Few chickens are as lucky as Ozma was, to have fine human beings like you and your family to care for her and give her a good life.

[@drumzone5]

So sorry to hear about your loss Phoebe. It's never easy losing a part of your family.

[@Josh_Fredman]

Ozma, oh no! 💔 She was just becoming a star around here. I'm sorry she's gone. This is a really touching tribute.

[@jimmorrison-ye2yj]

It's so fun to watch 2 or 3 hens go around the yard scratching and talking to each other! I understand your loss.

[@danshaffer5916]

You play with h wonderful emotion Phoebe. Hello Chicken.

[@gerryherman7420]

Phoebe, so sorry for Ozma's passing. What a great tribute!

[@jasmine08able]

Oh Phoebe! I started choking up when I saw this...We love that you loved Ozma and will continue to love her always. We've only known you a few short weeks, but we feel very close to you~ You'll be in my prayers tonight. Just a sweet funny story: when my son was little, he was so worried about his hen who was injured, that he brought her into his bed...I had to gently tell him that she needed to be downstairs where it was dark and quiet...we chuckle now about this, but it shows in a tender way how animals can be so close to our hearts. Blessings to you, my dear

[@wsvrez]

Sorry for your loss... I'm sure she would be happy listening to this beautiful song... very soulful, stay strong Phoebe

[@noahboucher125]

Some people don't understand what it's like to lose a bird. They have an understanding of life that most of us wish we had.

[@ericj.w.ruijssenaars3421]

There is a happy chicken dancing around in chicken-heaven on this tune! 🐔 😊

[@mrmoose7844]

Ozma was a beautiful girl!

[@robertthegreek]

Beautiful tribute. So sorry to hear about your loss. Blessings on your day.

[@cullendonahue8054]

Oh, dear; I’m so sorry! 😢😭😭😭some folks say when we lose an animal it is going & taking something bad with them that would have gotten us if they hadn’t gone.. It may be small consolation at this time, yet I hope that helps in your time of grief. I lost my dove Sonya this past year also. Still cry sometimes 😢 thank you for your songs & spirit; they have brightened my darker times. Much. Peaceful & Comforted National Banjo Day, sister from another mister. Peace to y’all

[@monkeyshake3508]

Nice tribute. It is our lot in life to typically outlive our animal friends. Thank goodness for music.

[@ArborealCattThing]

Finding real inspiration in real life. I commend you ye old young artist. You've got soul! Something people in general are lacking in I feel, nowadays.

[@philipusher4282]

There is so much garbage and fake news on you tube so it's great when something like this pops up. Thanks for entertaining us and putting us in a good mood for the rest of the day. 🙏Oops, I meant with your playing, just read after I posted that this tune was in memory of a favorite chicken, sorry to hear.

[@ButterSpider3]

I’m digging your play style!! Your clawhammer sound is amazing! Please keep recording more. 😁👍🏻. I am very sorry for your loss. I am new to your channel. I think I will need to go back and find her.

[@kurichanyonihatzedek]

Our garden is full of small trees marking the resting place of chickens over the years. We always get attached and fond of them. They are joined this year by my sons first pet, a guinea pig, I cried with him when I told him the news, and I would call myself a tough outdoorsy type! Thanks for your sweet little ode to Ozma, and condolences ❤❤

[@MeyerSnekkestad]

Much much love and sympathy to you dear Phoebe. Lovely to know you and also to have known your precious, dear and funny Ozma❤😢❤ Lovely goodbye you’ve given her with this banjo-tune❤️🙏🏼❤️

[@daverow49]

My sincere condolences for your loss Phoebe. I looked after chickens when I was a kid and yes I became attached to one like you and Ozma. Lovely banjo piece. :)

[@MikePuorro]

This is the place true music comes from.

[@MichaelBCoats]

Sweet Doc, I am so sorry. This was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful chicken friend! ♥♥♥♥♥

[@gheffz]

So sorry to hear, Phoebe. Very sad. If it helps in anyway, I cried my eyes out on and off for few days when our gorgeous cat died and our dog a few years earlier. I have even shed a tear now thinking about it.

[@robertcourt8593]

Such wonderful music!

[@khonsuthecore4788]

For a musician to grieve with music is as natural as the death they are grieving, and yet both song and death are tinged with sadness and determination, god be with ye beloved chicken.

[@piguy3point14]

Im so sorry. Thanks for sharing her with us. I think I'll smile and say "Hi!" to every chicken I meet from here on out.

[@evanwilcox82]

Great tribute to Ozma. She lives on through your music.

[@danloeber]

😢 Yesterday, I found you and Ozma in a F.F. Video and subscribed. Today I learned Ozma has passed. I’m sorry for your loss. Chicken people and banjo people, that’s some good people.

[@charlesharper7292]

Lotta folks think of chickens as farm animals. They're much more than that. They are birds. Some of the most beautiful creatures ever created.🐣🐤🐥🐓❤️

[@jimlongen4278]

Sorry for your loss. My grandson just got his first (4) chicks and I’m sure he’ll become attached too, as we all do, to our pets. Beautiful piece and I really enjoy your posts.

[@Harrydewulf]

I'm sad. I get very attached to critters, and Ozma had a lot of character. I think we'll all miss her too. Thanks for playing this song for her (and us). Still the best name for a chicken. I hope one day you'll have another worthy of the name.

[@eudaenomic]

This is a great elegy for Ozma. I can't get the melody out of my mind. Don't worry about the arrangement, you did good. I'm sorry to hear about your friend.

[@stephanieg6680]

Hi Phoebe, I'm very sorry for your loss. I'm close to my animals, too. I remember Ozma from a previous video. Your music is a beautiful tribute 💕

[@robertlittlepage2273]

We're so sorry to hear about Ozma. Beautiful tune to remember her by. 😢

[@jimcrews8951]

Yes, Ozma was just becoming known by your followers. You played a lovely tune. Thank you.

[@MoarBullshit]

Awww, damn. I am sorry. Chickens are very delicate critters. And they are very affectionate and sweet. Ozma will be missed (and way to be an Oz fan, I've read all the books!)

[@nadeembitar5292]

Have you ever seen chickens enforce their pecking order?

[@LighTfromAbuV]

I'm sorry to hear that! My daughter just lost one of her cats yesterday. The tune was amazing! Think I need to listen to this one just about every day! Such positive strong emotions that come through! Much love!

[@frankenjstein9371]

Oh man. All of Gods creatures are precious and unique. Love is all. With us always.

[@roymundy3688]

Wow! That was incredible. Xx

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Sorry to hear about Ozma Phoebe. She was as much of your videos as your banjos and will be missed by all. You did her proud with this beautiful song.

[@jaredshaw8163]

That was so beautiful. What a lovely tribute to her. I am sorry for your loss.

[@authortimwickenden]

A fitting and eggcellent tribute to a noble creature. Sorry for your loss. 😢

[@brucewinningham4959]

You have some Petty Vegetation behind you Phoebe. THANK YOU for allowing us to see it.

[@Hackbridge1963]

Sorry to hear about your dear Ozma 😔. Your sadness is very palatable but your playing was exemplary 🙏🏾. Even though it was with sadness, it brought joy to me as I was listening. Much love and condolences from the UK. Kind regards to you. Brian

[@patrickdaughtry3618]

Beautiful playing! Beautiful song to a friend! Pullin at this old mans heart strings! Goodness...

[@stereo123]

Sorry to hear that. Beautiful farewell music. I love your channel, Phoebe.

[@stevenboyd593]

A touching eulogy and with the appearance of a good friend just seconds in who seemed to be checking to see if we were respectfully viewing and participating. Sorry for your loss, blessings and shalom

[@AdamOwenBrowning]

somehow you made me resonate and empathize with a chicken(!) thousands of miles away, that I've never met. That's the power of heartfelt music The pure fire and energy you bring at the 3min mark made my eyes water. We have our time in the sun, and we leave an empty space behind when we go. There's a beauty in that - that empty space represents the value and importance even a "small" life can have. rest easy Ozma, in a coop in the sky.

[@kissthefiddler]

Love the tune! It sounds like Ozma was a character. She will live on in your heart and in your tunes.

[@daveduncan8004]

Hey, that’s great Pickens I think your rooster likes that too. He’s a pretty whiny. I believe he’s a rooster. He had a comb on top of his head. Good song I enjoyed it. Enjoy your KZbin channel. Keep up the good work young lady.

[@MrCubannn]

one of the best channels on youtube tbh

[@Illyrian5]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss! I just discovered you yesterday and loved seeing Ozma in your videos. She was lucky to have you.

[@lambertmichel5985]

Nous sommes toujours en peine de perdre un animal que l'on aime, bel hommage musical ..LM.

[@John-Smiley-Garrett]

Ozma seemed like a very sweet chicken, and I'm happy you have a means to help you express your grief.

[@user-wy5cq5yt2r]

🐓❤ She was a pretty chicken. I’ll miss seeing her. Sorry for your loss.

[@johnfinn7455]

Perfect song picked and perfect song played. That song has its ups and downs. The ending of the song picks up your spirit and says it will be ok. Sorry for your loss. It’s obvious that you are a caring person and feathers or fur, you love them all. The orange chicken totally photo bombed your performance.

[@fosteranimation4616]

So sorry to hear about Ozma. Sad day, but thank you for the tune.

[@user-xc8ku1sr3o]

RIP Ozma. Very pleasant tribute tune. I love the red bird popping in and out of the camera view.

[@susansanders9159]

Really beautiful song. I see Billina edging in to pay respects. I am so sorry and sad about Ozma. She was so special.