Kookaburra Lyrics

Written by Marion Sinclair in 1932 for a Girl Guides competition, Kookaburra quickly became one of Australia's most beloved children's songs. It is traditionally sung as a round in three or four parts, imitating the laughing call of the kookaburra bird. Best for ages 4–10. Like Frère Jacques, Kookaburra works beautifully as an entry-level round, and the playful subject — a laughing bird — keeps children engaged through multiple repetitions. Use it as an introduction to Australian wildlife and as a stepping stone to more complex part-singing. For more round-singing and animal-themed activities, see [best animal songs for kids](/blog/best-animal-songs-kids) and [group singing benefits for children](/blog/group-singing-benefits-for-children).

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
Merry, merry king of the bush is he,
Laugh, Kookaburra! Laugh, Kookaburra!
Gay your life must be.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
Eating all the gum drops he can see,
Stop, Kookaburra! Stop, Kookaburra!
Leave some there for me.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
Counting all the monkeys he can see,
Stop, Kookaburra! Stop, Kookaburra!
That's no monkey, that's me!