I Had Two Pigeons Bright and Gay Lyrics
Two pretty pigeons have flown away, and their owner has no idea why. Four lines that end with a cheerful shrug.
I Had Two Pigeons Bright and Gay
I had two pigeons bright and gay,
They flew from me the other day.
What was the reason they did go?
I cannot tell, for I do not know.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/two-pigeons/
- Type
- Animal Rhymes
- Tune
- Spoken rhyme
- Best for ages
- 1 to 5 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| I had two pigeons | Hold up two fingers. |
| They flew from me the other day | Flap both hands away behind your back. |
| I cannot tell, for I do not know | Shrug your shoulders. |
What Does I Had Two Pigeons Bright and Gay Mean?
Bright and gay is an old way of saying bright and cheerful, so the pigeons were lively, good-looking birds. People kept pigeons in lofts for their eggs, for racing and as pets, and pigeons are famous for finding their way home over long distances. These two have gone, and the owner simply cannot say why.
History and Origin
The rhyme is printed as "Two Pigeons" in The Real Mother Goose (1916). Its question-and-shrug ending makes it a good rhyme for toddlers, who enjoy saying "I do not know" with a big shrug.
Learning Activities
- Finger birds: make two pigeons with your fingers and fly them away behind your back.
- Where did they go? make up places the pigeons might have flown to.
- Bird watch: count pigeons in the park or on rooftops.