FIVE LITTLE CHICKADEES

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English Singing Game
LS E-4
Formation: Single circle facing center. Five children, the “chickadees,” numbered 1 to 5, are in the center.

SONG

Meas. (2 counts per measure; i.e., 1-2 = 4 counts)

1 – 2 Five little chickadees, playing near the door,

3 – 4 One flew away, then there were four,

5 – 8 Chickadee, chickadee, happy and gay,

Chickadee, chickadee, fly away.

Repeat from the beginning, substituting the following in Meas. 1-4:

Four little chickadees, sitting in a tree,

One flew away, then there were three;

Three little chickadees, looking down at you,

One flew away, then there were two;

Two little chickadees, nodding in the sun,

One flew away, then there was one;

One little chickadee, sitting all alone,

It flew away, then there were none.

ACTION

1 – 2 The numbered chickadees squat in center while children in the circle sing.

3 – 4 The indicated chickadee, imitating a bird, flies out to join the circle.

5 – 8 All except the chickadees left in the center, sing and fly in LOD.

Note: On Meas. 5-8 children may fly anywhere in the room. Remind them that they must return to the circle for the beginning of the next verse.