Sing – Way Up in the Sky – Youth Activity Archive

A calming song with gentle gestures that mimic floating in the sky.

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

Recordings

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!

History

“Way Up in the Sky” is a children’s fingerplay used to develop coordination and rhythm. Its exact origins are undocumented. In scouting, it serves as a foundational “Good Morning” song, using whispering and shouting to manage group energy. The popular “Hillbillie Version,” which parodies the 1962 theme from The Beverly Hillbillies, reflects a common mid-20th-century camp tradition of blending folk rhymes with pop culture melodies.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

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See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
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Updated on April 21, 2026. Published on May 8, 2025. Author:

Tia Kennard

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