The Badge Archive

This song has movements – see recordings to learn the traditional movements.

Recordings

• YouTube – Scribble’s Space
• YouTube – KCLS
• YouTube – Daniel Boone Regional Library

Lyrics

Way up in the sky
<Raise hands and point to the sky>
The little birds fly
<Hold up a hand with fingers showing a little space, then flap hands like wings>
When down in the nest
<Swoop hand downward>
The little birds rest
<Flap hands like wings and then put hands by head like resting on a pillow>

With a wing on the left
<Twirl left hand and hold left hand like a wing>
And a wing on the right
<Twirl right hand and hold right hand like a wing>
The little birds sleep
<Hold up a hand with fingers showing a little space, then flap hands like wings>
all through the night
<Put hands by head like resting on a pillow>

Shhh. They’re sleeping
<Hold finger in front of lips>

The bright sun comes up
<Dramatically raise hands above head in a circle>
The dew drops awake
<Wiggle fingers and lower hands like rain>
Good morning, good morning
<Raise both arms like wings and kick up a foot in a peppy manner for each “Good Morning”>
The little birds say
<Hold up a hand with fingers showing a little space, then flap hands like wings>

Variations

Slightly different lyrics:

Way up in the sky
<Raise hands and point to the sky>
The little birds fly
<Hold up a hand with fingers showing a little space, then flap hands like wings>
When down in the nest
<Swoop hand downward>
the baby birds rest.
<Flap hands like wings and then put hands by head like resting on a pillow>

With a wing on the left
<Twirl left hand and hold left hand like a wing>
And a wing on the right
<Twirl right hand and hold right hand like a wing>
Those tired little birdies sleep
<Hold up a hand with fingers showing a little space, then flap hands like wings>
all through the night
<Put hands by head like resting on a pillow>

Shhh. They’re sleeping
<Hold finger in front of lips>

The bright sun comes up
<Dramatically raise hands above head in a circle>
The dew falls away
<Wiggle fingers and lower hands like rain>
Good morning, good morning
<Move hands like a talking beak>
The little birds say
<Hold up a hand with fingers showing a little space, then flap hands like wings>

Hillbillie Version:

• Sing to The Beverly Hillbillies tune.
• After With a wing on the left, and a wing on the right – change line to:
  Those wide awake birdies fly out of sight!

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References:

• “Way up in the Sky.” Camp Friendship, campfriendship.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Campers-Song-Lyrics-Little-Birds.pdf. Accessed 8 May 2025.
• “Way Up In The Sky.” Kcls.org, 2025, kcls.org/content/way-up-in-the-sky/. Accessed 8 May 2025.