THE MARY POPPINS SONG

In this April, 5,1965 file photo actress Debbie Reynolds poses with Academy awards winners for best music Richard M. Sherman, right and Robert Sherman, left, who received the award for Mary Poppins in Santa Monica Calif. Songwriter Sherman, who wrote the tongue-twisting "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and other enduring songs for Disney classics, has died. He was 86.

Twice this evening I thought my phone was ringing, but when I looked at it, it was silent. I looked at the TV screen and saw Mary Poppins singing the song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from the movie.

I have that song as a ringtone on my phone designated for a friend. I heard the news story that the author just died.

How do you sum up the work of songwriter Robert B. Sherman? Try one word: "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

The tongue-twisting term, sung by magical nanny Mary Poppins, is like much of Sherman's work — both complex and instantly memorable, for child and adult alike. Once heard, it was never forgotten.

Sherman, an American who died in London at age 86, was half of a sibling partnership that put songs into the mouths of nannies.

Robert Sherman and his brother Richard composed scores for films including "The Jungle Book," "The Aristocats," "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." They also wrote the most-played tune on Earth, "It's a Small World (After All)."