Hi, Said All the Birds

"Hi, Said All the Birds" is drawn from the Irish-American melody, "Bird Courting Song" or "Leathered-winged Bat." Each verse describes a different Indiana bird and its movements, concluding with the final verse in which all birds fly together. Arranged by S. Maggie Polk Olivo and performed by The Vera String quartet and singers, Alejandra Martinez and Serge Kalinovsky, this piece celebrates individualism.

S. Maggie Polk Olivo

Serge Kalinovsky

Interactive Resources

Carolina Chickadee

glide and sway

Carolina chickadee.mp3

Purple Finch

dance on toes

Purple finch.mp3

Carolina Wren

strut and sound

Carolina wren.mp3

Red Bellied Woodpecker

peck and press

Red-bellied woodpecker.mp3

Have children:

  • Verse 1: glide and sway like a chickadee
  • Verse 2: Dance on toes like a purple finch
  • Verse 3: Strut like a little wren
  • Verse 4: Press like a woodpecker
  • Verse 5: Choose their favorite bird and imitate that bird's movement

Bird calls provided by Dr. Jennie M. Carr, assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Washington College in Chestertown, MD and the amazing Bridget Rineheimer, music educator and doctoral cand.