Birds are cute and move in ways that are easy to imitate. Then again, they are often the protagonists of several fairy tales, myths, and theatrical plays, so sometimes teachers and parents look for bird songs for kids that a child will learn easily and the audience will relate to.
Whether it’s a robin preparing for winter, a duck playing or an Australian species of exotic fowl, these songs about birds will be easy to teach and great to listen to. Don’t forget you can get your own free audio file for educational purposes by clicking on the song title, as well as print a PDF with lyrics by clicking on the linking after the lyrics in this post.
1.
Alouette
Why this?
Larks are passerine birds, which are also called perching birds or songbirds. Although mostly found in Africa, there is a single species, the horned lark, which occurs in North America. That, along with a history of French fur trade in North America, might have helped “Alouette” become a symbol of the French-speaking Canada around the world.
Although commonly thought to be about plucking feathers, this song is playful and fast-paced, so it can be sung as a teasing song.
What do the lyrics say?
Literally, the songs says “Lark, nice lark, I will pluck you. I will pluck your head” and then “your beak“, “your neck“, “your back” and “your tail“.
French lyrics:
1. Alouette, gentille alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Je te plumerai la tête,
Je te plumerai la tête,
Et la tête, et la tête,
Alouette, alouette… Aaaah!
2. Alouette, gentille alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Je te plumerai le bec,
Je te plumerai le bec,
Et le bec, et le bec,
Et la tête, et la tête,
Alouette, alouette… Aaaah!
3. Alouette, gentille alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Je te plumerai le cou,
Je te plumerai le cou,
Et le cou, et le cou,
Et le bec, et le bec,
Et la tête, et la tête,
Alouette, alouette… Aaaah!
4. Alouette, gentille alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Je te plumerai le dos,
Je te plumerai le dos,
Et le dos, et le dos,
Et le cou, et le cou,
Et le bec, et le bec,
Et la tête, et la tête,
Alouette, alouette… Aaaah!
5. Alouette, gentille alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Je te plumerai la queue,
Je te plumerai la queue,
Et la queue, et la queue,
Et le dos, et le dos,
Et le cou, et le cou,
Et le bec, et le bec,
Et la tête, et la tête,
Alouette, alouette… Aaaah!
Alouette, gentille alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
Alouette | Printable Lyrics PDF
2.
Kookaburra
Why this?
Really popular with kids and having a melody that can stick in one’s head, “Kookaburra” manages to convey the freedom of a bird in three verses, so it can be sung as a symbol of happiness and care-free life.
What do the lyrics say?
Kookaburra just sits on the old gum tree laughing, eating and counting monkeys!
Lyrics:
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,
Merry merry king of the bush is he.
Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra,
Gay your life must be!
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,
Eating all the gum drops he can see.
Stop, Kookaburra, stop
Kookaburra, save some there for me!
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,
Counting all the monkeys he can see.
Laugh Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra
That’s not a monkey, that’s me!
Kookaburra | Printable Lyrics PDF
3.
The Robin (The North Wind Doth Blow)
Why this?
Sometimes birds in the cold can symbolize the lack of protection, so a robin in the cold can mean someone that is lost and looking for shelter.
What do the lyrics say?
Poor robin, what will it do in the snow?
Lyrics:
The north wind doth blow,
And we shall have snow,
And what will the robin do then,
poor thing?
He’ll sit in the barn,
And keep himself warm
And hide his head under his wing,
poor thing!
The Robin | Printable Lyrics PDF
4.
Five Little Ducks
Why this?
This is actually a counting song, so it can be easily adapted for four, three or any number of ducks participating in the activity or play.
What do the lyrics say?
Very simply but mysteriously, a duck disappears every time the duck family goes over the hill.
Lyrics:
1. Five little ducks went swimming one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack,”
But only four little ducks came back.
2. Four little ducks went swimming one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack,”
But only three little ducks came back.
3. Three little ducks went swimming one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack,”
But only two little ducks came back.
4. Two little ducks went swimming one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack,”
But only one little duck came back.
5. One little duck went swimming one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack,”
But no little ducks came swimming back.
6. Sad mother duck went out one day
Over the hill and far away
The sad mother duck said “Quack, quack, quack,”
And all of the five little ducks came back.
Five Little Ducks | Printable Lyrics PDF
5.
Mockingbird (Hush, Little Baby)
Why this?
A soothing song, “Hush, Little Baby (Mockingbird)” is a lullaby about mother making it all alright when problems arise, so everyone can relate!
What do the lyrics say?
No matter what issue comes up, mama’s gonna solve it.
Lyrics:
1. Hush, little baby, don’t say a word,
Mama’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.
2. And if that mockingbird don’t sing,
Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring
3. And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass.
4. And if that looking glass is broke,
mama’s gonna buy you a billy goat.
5. And if that billy goat won’t pull,
Mama’s gonna buy you a cart and a bull.
6. And if that cart and bull turn over,
Mama’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
7. And if that dog named Rover won’t bark,
Mama’s gonna buy you a horse and a cart.
8. And if that horse and cart fall down,
you’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
Mockingbird | Printable Lyrics PDF
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