Youth Activity Archive

A storytelling song of killing a bird.

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WARNING – Some of these lyrics are offensive and/or violent-natured

This is a Repeat and Answer Song.

Printable Music

• The Other Day I Met a Bear – Recorder Music by Beth’s Notes
  (Uses the same notes as I Met a Bear)

Recordings

• YouTube – Jonathan Michael Fleming

Lyrics

Scouts repeat the leader after every line, and then everyone sings all four lines of the verse together before singing the next verse.

A yellow bird,
with a yellow bill.
Was singing on
My window sill.

I coaxed it in
With a piece of bread.
And then I hit
It on the head.

A tiny mouse
With tiny feet
Sat upon
My toilet seat

I pushed him in
And I flushed him down
And that little mouse
Went round and round

I called the doctor.
The doctor said.
My dear good man.
This bird is dead.

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Variations

Alternative verses

I coaxed it in
With a piece of meat.
And then I crushed
It’s little feet.

I coaxed it in
With a chunk of cheese.
And then I smacked
It on the knees.

I coaxed it in
With a plate of spaghetti.
Then I hacked its wings
With my little machete.

I coaxed it in
with cold root beer.
And then I ripped
Off its right ear.

I coaxed it in
With a Tweety poster.

History

“A Yellow Bird” is a traditional Repeat and Answer parody song that utilizes the 1919 melody of “Sipping Cider Through a Straw.” The lyrics originated as a military marching cadence in the mid-20th century before being adapted into “camp lore.” The song is an example of gallows humor in children’s folk traditions. It is often used in scouting to build rhythmic confidence and manage group energy through exaggerated storytelling.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

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Click Here -> To see information References:

Disclaimer: The information published on Youth Activity Archive and The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.

• “A Yellow Bird (Marching Cadence) – Army Cadence.” Army Cadence, 15 Nov. 2022, https://www.army-cadence.com/a-yellow-bird/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
• “I Met a Bear Camping Song Lyrics Midi.” Campingdude.com, 2025, https://www.campingdude.com/content/song/i_met_a_bear-37.asp. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
• “Yellow Bird – Military Cadence Lyrics | Jonathan Michael Fleming.” Jonathan Michael Fleming, 2024, https://www.jonathanmichaelfleming.com/yellow-bird-lyrics. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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