Way up in the sky the little birds fly
April 29th, 2008
Do you know that song? It’s an old camp song, possibly a Girl Scout song. I don’t remember for sure where I learned it originally, but I think it was from my friend Erin.
Way up in the sky
the little birds fly
Way down in the nest
the little birds rest
With a wing on their left
and a wing on their right
the little birds sleep
all through the night.
Shhhh…they’re sleeping.Thennnn…
UP COMES THE SUN!
THE GLOOM GOES AWAY!
‘GOOD MORNING! GOOD MORNING!’
THE LITTLE BIRDS SAY!
You sing the first verse quietly, fading to a whisper at the last line, and then the second verse is practically yelled. It’s a good-morning wake-up song. I’m thinking of it for two reasons. First, it’s the crack of dawn as I write this. I’m not usually up this early, but last night I didn’t sleep much, so around 5:30 I gave up and came downstairs for breakfast. It was kinda nice to watch the sky brighten into morning through my living room window, though. I might have to do this more often.
The second reason I thought of that song has entirely to do with the first line. In addition to the little birds, Troy is also way up in the sky as I write this. He’s been making his way across the country for the past few days, and now he’s on a long intercontinental flight which will immediately be followed by a cross-country flight, which is a lot of time spent in the air. I’m not exactly worried about him; more like mindful of the fact that he’s headed to a far-away place. So today would be a good day to include Troy in your prayers, if you pray. In my prayers today I will be thanking God for email. Being married to someone in the Navy is so much easier than it used to be when snail mail was the only means of communication.
Before Troy left, his sister Dana drove up from North Carolina with her younger son Leo for a short visit. Dana and her family only moved to the East coast a few months ago, and she wanted to visit at least once before Troy was going to be gone. It was good to see them again, so soon after our trip to visit them. Annalie was super excited that she got to see Aunt Dana and her cousin Leo again.
We hung out, we went to the park, and we got tiny cones! Dana and Leo just happened to come to town the weekend our favorite ice-cream place opened for the season. Of course we had to go.
The place is actually named Cone Island, but we never call it that. To us, it’s always Tiny Cones, because they sell tiny soft-serve cones for 75 cents each–a dollar if you want sprinkles or dip. We go often in summer and fall, usually meeting a few friends, to eat ice cream, let the kids play on the adjacent playground, stroll down the boardwalk, and watch the sunset.
We’ll have to make sure we go often in the next few weeks, because soon we’re packing up and moving. We’ve known since we moved here that we’d most likely be here for three years, and it’ll be three years in June. Like the birds way up the sky, time flies.
But before we move, my mom is coming to visit, Annalie will turn four, we’ll help celebrate three other playgroup birthdays, we’ll paint more pottery, I’ll go out with my friends, we’ll visit the sprayground, and we’ll have many tiny cones. We’re not quite done with Maryland yet.
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Email is so great, and speaking of great I love the pic of Annalie and her auntie! Where will you be moving to next?
I love the first picture, with that kitty figure in it. I want one!
Prayers have been said for Troy and a safe journey. :)
Have a great day!
I just moved from Maryland to Oregon and you are making me totally homesick!
Just said a prayer for him and for you.
Hey B, I loved this post. It was so serene and happy. I love reading a “good read” like this. THIS is why I’m so happy when certain people ARE brave enough to keep their blogs going. I admire that, but most of all, I admire you and the way you handle life. You have a peace about you that is so wonderful. Sort of like that, “a peace that passeth all understanding” verse.
Enjoy every ounce of your time left in Maryland. I’ll keep Troy in my prayers. And you and Annalie too. Love ya’ll!
P.S. – I found a way to comment from work!! I’m so happy!
Awesome post. Will be keeping Troy in our prayers. And to be moving. Wow, you will have to keep us updated in your goings on before you set out. I love your boardwalk and Cone Island. It makes me want to add your beach to our beach as another place to visit. Glad you got in some Auntie time.
I’d really like a tiny cone right now :)
Troy is in my prayers today, too.
Hey, Bethany! I’m praying for Troy today :-) Sounds like busy days ahead of you. Enjoy the rest of your time in MD. Have a tiny cone for me!
Email is amazing. I sit in my living room cutting fabric for girl scout camp. During breaks I check in with friends…I don’t have enough though. It amazes me that a few of your commenters live in Oregon too and could be my neighbors.
And I want a tiny cone!!!
I hope Troy will be back in time to help you move. And I wish that we lived near a navy base, but sadly we don’t. However, navy bases are usually by the beach and there’s always vacation!
Growing up where you did, did you have your own state version for the Itsy Bitsy Spider? We did and it’s very similar to the Little Bird song (which we also yelled with much glee).
Praying for Troy as I am with all my brothers and sisters in the military. God bless his travels and bring him home safe.
Oooo! Oooooh! We used to sing (shout) that song at summer camp every year! Then, I’d come home and do it every morning for a week after. It’s amazing I survived childhood…
Positive thoughts going out to Troy. I hope his travels are comfortable and swift.
The closest thing we have to a Tiny Cony around my place is a McDonalds soft serve cone. Yours look much yummier.
Oh, now you made me sad. A friend of the family (a big goofy guy, a great children’s performer) used to stay at our house when he was visiting from out of state and would sing that song to wake my husband and I up in the morning.
Good thoughts of safe travel go out to all the loved ones that aren’t within arms reach of us right now.
Thank you all for your prayers. I made it just fine through four airports, about 10 time zones, a skipped day, 21 hours of time in the air, one missed flight, and hours of waiting for the next flight. Finally there is no next flight.
It was nice to have Dana and Leo visit and get a chance to go to Tiny Cones before I had to take off. That is one of the things I will really miss about our neck of the woods.
My mother sang the birdie song as a lullaby to me as a babe and small child. It’s likely her mother sang it to her. I sang it to my babies and they sing it to my grandabies. I don’t know where it came from but it is very very old as I am 66. Our words are a little different.
Up, up in the sky
The little birds fly.
Down, down in the nest
The little birds rest.
With a wing on the left
And a wing on the right,
We’ll let the little birdies
Sleep all the long night.
When the bright sun comes up
And the dew goes away
Good morning bright sunshine
The little birds say.
How gay are those flowers
How green are those wood
Our Heavenly Father
So kind and so good.
my great grandmother taught it to me this way, back in the early 1970′s:
Up, up in the sky
The little birds fly.
Down, down in their nest
The little birds rest.
With a wing on their left
And a wing on their right,
He’ll watch the dear birdies
Sleep all through the night.
The round sun comes up
The dew falls away
Good morning bright sunshine
The little birds say.
How gay are the flowers
How green is the wood
Our Heavenly Father
So kind and so good.
Hello, I just found your blog looking for the words for this children’s song. I am in Early Childhood Development classes as I am completely changing my career since last December when the company I suffered for eliminated my position. It was the best present they could have ever given me… but I didn’t know it at the time. Now I want to know more about your husband, how is he and your children and if you are still getting tiny cones. I enjoyed reading your blog. Felt like I knew you. :)