A' the Birdies i' the Air Lyrics
Two children make an arch, everyone else picks a side, and the game ends in a tug-of-war. This tiny Scottish rhyme is the call that starts it all.
A' the Birdies i' the Air
A' the birdies i' the air
Tick-to to my tail.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/a-the-birdies-i-the-air/
- Type
- Action Songs, Animal Rhymes
- Tune
- Chanted game call
- Best for ages
- 5 to 10 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| A' the birdies i' the air | Two players face each other and join hands high to make an arch. |
| Tick-to to my tail | The others run through and line up behind the leader they choose. |
What Does A' the Birdies i' the Air Mean?
In Scots, a' means all and i' means in, so the first line is "all the birdies in the air". The players are the birds. The second line seems to call them to join on behind, like a tail, ready for the tug-of-war that follows.
History and Origin
Robert Ford described the game in his early-1900s book of Scottish children's games, calling it a simpler form of London Bridge. Two players form an arch, the rest choose a side and line up behind one of them, and a tug-of-war decides the winners, who then chase the losers.
Learning Activities
- Play it: make an arch, let everyone choose a side, then have a gentle tug-of-war on soft grass.
- Bird names: each player picks a bird to be before choosing a side.
- Scots words: learn a' (all) and i' (in).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does A' the birdies i' the air mean?
All the birdies in the air, in Scots.
How is the game played?
Two players make an arch, the others pick a side, and a tug-of-war decides the winners.