Action Songs for young children

We have such a big repertoire of songs in our memories, that it is so easy to forget the majority of them and just stick with a few that we do over and over and over.  It isn't until we hear a particular song again that we think "Oh I had completely forgotten this one!" I wanted to create a page that teachers and parents can use as a reference, to remind ourselves of songs that we can do with the children.

I like to start the day with movement songs, to get the children moving, and get the brain synapses working and making connections. Don't forget the traditional Nursery Rhymes - they are great action and movement songs, and they have stood the test of time - I loved them when I was a child, and I think they have a special charm to all children and are still very relevant today. 

Here are some that everyone knows, and some that you may not. But give them a try, they all work well and are fun to do! If you are not confident, practice at home first before trying them out at mat time.
You can find Te Reo Maori songs here, many of which are also great movement songs.
I have also done a separate post for counting songs here, many of which you can also use for movement.  These are works in progress and I will be adding more songs over time.
If you are after other mat time activities, you can find a range of fun games for mat times and group times on this link.
Finally, when you want to send children off to wash their hands, click here for a variety of songs for transition times.

The first part of this post is a collection of hand action songs; further down you will find action songs that use whole body movement.

Hand Action Songs

Wind The Bobbin Up

Wind the bobbin up
Wind the bobbin up
Pull and pull and clap your hands

Wind the bobbin up
Wind the bobbin up
Pull and pull and clap your hands

Point to the ceiling
Point to the floor
Point to the window
Point to the door

Wind the bobbin up
Wind the bobbin up
Pull and pull and clap your hands

Actions:
Wind the bobbin up: roll hands around each other (same movement as for the Wheels on the Bus)
Pull and pull: Reach up high and pull your hands downwards


Hammer Hammer Hammer

Hammer, hammer, hammer
Shake, shake, shake,
Roll, roll, roll,
And clap, clap, clap

Maori:
Hama, hama, hama
Wera, wera, wera,
Huri huri, huri,
Paki, paki, paki

Hindi:
Thoko, thoko, thoko,
Hilao, hilao, hilao
Ghumaao, ghumaao, ghumaao
Tali, tali, tali

Samoan:
Tuitui, tuitui, tuitui
Luelue, luelue, luelue
Ta'milo ta'milo ta'milo
Pati, pati, pati

Fruit Salad

Watermelon, watermelon
Pineapple, pineapple
Bana-nana-nana, bana-nana-nana
Fruit salad, fruit salad

Samoan:
Ole meleni, ole meleni
Fala pula, fala pula
Fa'i, fa'i, fa'i, fa'i, fa'i, fa'i
Salati, salati

Tongan:
 Fo'i meleni, fo'i meleni
Fo'i faina, fo'i faina
Fo'i siaine, fo'i siaine
Salati, salati


One Day A Taniwha
(Tune: You are my sunshine)

One day a taniwha
Went swimming in the moana
He whispered sweetly in my taringa
Oh won't you come with me
There's such a lot to see
Underneath the deep blue sea.

I said "Oh no, no, no,
I have to go, go, go
But I know we'll still be friends.
My mother is waiting for me
Underneath the kowhai tree
Taniwha, haere ra.
Taniwha, haere ra


Slippery Fish

Slippery fish, slippery fish
Swimming in the water,
Slippery fish, slippery fish
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by a...

Tuna fish, tuna fish
Swimming in the water
Tuna fish, tuna fish
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by an...

Octopus, octopus
Swimming in the water
Octopus, octopus
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by a...

Crocodile, crocodile
Swimming in the water
Crocodile, crocodile
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by a...

Great white shark, great white shark
Swimming in the water
Great white shark, great white shark
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by a...

Humungous whale, humungous whale
Swimming in the water,
Humungous whale, humungous whale

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
Uh-oh! He's been eaten by a...

Taniwha, taniwha

Swimming in the water

Taniwha, taniwha

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!

Nothing eats a taniwha!

Kai Moana E!

Kina, kina,         (Link hands, interlacing fingers - open and close fingers)

Wheke, wheke   (Wave arms like an octopus's arms)

Ika, ika,             (Put one finger on each cheek)

Tuna, tuna,        (Put hands together, pretend to be a fish swimming)

Pipi, pipi,           (Put wrists together, open and shut hands like a pipi)

Paua, paua,        (Move hands further apart, open and shut them)

Kai Moana e!     

Open, Shut Them

Open, shut them, open, shut them

Give a little clap, clap, clap

Open, shut them, open, shut them,

Place them in your lap, lap, lap.

Creep them, creep them, creep them, creep them

Right up to your chin, chin, chin

Open wide your little mouth

But do not let them in! (whisk fingers away behind your back)

I Had A Tiny Turtle

I had a tiny turtle
His name was Tiny TIm
I put him in the bathtub
To see if he could swim.
(Put one hand on top of the other; palms together; thumbs and fingers out to make turtle flippers).

He drank up all the water
He ate up all the soap
And then my tiny turtle
Had bubbles in his throat
(Mime drinking water and eating soap)

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles
Bubbles, bubbles bubbles,
Bubble, bubbles, bubbles
and... POP!
(Run finger over mouth to create an underwater sound when singing; make a big popping motion with your hands on the word POP).


Little Peter Rabbit

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his head
Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his head
Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his head
And he flipped it, and he flopped it, and it flew right away!

Chorus:
Oh, oh Peter Rabbit

Oh, oh Peter Rabbit

Oh, oh Peter Rabbit

And he flipped it, and he flopped it, and it flew right away!

Other verses:

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his shoulder...

Chorus

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his arm...

Chorus

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his leg...

Chorus

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nono          ( Te Reo Maori for bottom)

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nono

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nono

And he squished it, and he squashed it, and that was the end of that!

(You can have a lot of fun squishing and squashing the fly underneath your bottom!)

 

This Little Light Of Mine

This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. 

Hide it under a bush, oh, no!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bush, oh, no!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bush, oh, no!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Don't let anyone blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine.
Don't let anyone blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine.

Don't let anyone blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

I Am The Music Man

I am the music man,
I come from far away
And I can play!
What can you play?


I play the piano.
Pia-pia-piano, piano, piano
Pia-pia-piano, pia-piano

(Repeat first verse)

I play the violin
Vio-vio-violin, violin, violin
Vio-vio-violin, vio-violin
 Pia-pia-piano, piano, piano
Pia-pia-piano, pia-piano

(Repeat first verse)

I play the piccolo
Picco-picco-piccolo, piccolo, piccolo
Picco-picco-piccolo, picco-piccolo
Vio-vio-violin, violin, violin
Vio-vio-violin, vio-violin
 Pia-pia-piano, piano, piano
Pia-pia-piano, pia-piano

 (Repeat first verse)

I play the Big Bass Drum
Big bass, big bass, big bass drum
Big bass drum, big bass drum
Big bass, big bass, big bass drum,
Big bass, big bass drum.
Picco-picco-piccolo, piccolo, piccolo
Picco-picco-piccolo, picco-piccolo
Vio-vio-violin, violin, violin
Vio-vio-violin, vio-violin
 Pia-pia-piano, piano, piano
Pia-pia-piano, pia-piano

Movement Songs

We Are The Fine Musicians

Actions: Pretend to play each instrument

Chorus:

We are the fine musicians, 

We practice every day

And people come from miles around

Just to hear us play

Our trombone, our trombone,

They love to hear our trombone

Our trombone, our trombone,
They love to hear our trombone

Chorus

Other possible instruments:

Keyboard

Drum

Fiddle

Bagpipes

Guitar

Trumpet

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes

And eyes and ears and mouth and nose

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes!

(Point to the different parts of the body as you sing them)

The Maori version of this song is:

Mahunga, Pakahiwi, Puku, Hope, Waewae

Mahunga, pakahiwi, puku, hope, waewae                           

Mahunga, pakahiwi, puku, hope, waewae                            

Mahunga, pakahiwi, puku, hope, waewae                            

Taringa, karu, ihu, waha e!                                                   

(hair, shoulders, stomach, hips, legs)
(ears, eyes, nose, mouth)

If You're Happy and You Know It

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands

If you're happy and you know it, and you really want to show it,

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.

Other verses...

If you're happy and you know it, stamp your feet...

If you're happy and you know it, turn around...

If you're happy and you know it, shout hooray!...

Make up any other verses with the children that you can think of!

Jack In the Box

(Children start off crouching down in a little box)

Jack in the box, jack in the box, quiet and still

Will you come out, will you come out?

Yes, I will!                                                      (children stand up)

What can you do?

My hands are clapping, clapping, clapping,

My hands are clapping, just like this.

Children get back down into their box, repeat first verse.

Other possible verses...

My feet are jumping, jumping, jumping, My feet are jumping, just like this.

My legs are turning, turning, turning, My legs are turning, just like this.

My hands are rolling, rolling, rolling, My hands are rolling, just like this.

My head is nodding, nodding, nodding. My head is nodding, just like this.

Punchinello Funny Fellow

This is a great inclusive song that allows every child to have a go at inventing an action - copy what the child is doing, even if they are shy or reluctant to do an action, they may be holding onto their jacket, clenching their fists, turning their body side to side, or have put their hands to their mouths. Stand in a circle so that everyone can see each other.

What can you do, punchinello, funny fellow?

(Child demonstrates an action)

We can do it too, punchinello, funny you!

Go around the circle, giving each child a turn to demonstrate an action, which the whole class then repeats.

The Grand Old Duke Of York

This is a great marching song. Encourage the children to march straight and tall when you say the word "up", and go down low when you say the word "down".

The grand old duke of York,

He had ten thousand men

He marched them up to the top of the hill

And he marched them down again.

And when they were up, they were up.

And when they were down, they were down,

And when they were only halfway up,

They were neither up nor down.

A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea

A sailor went to sea, sea, sea                               

To see what he could see, see, see                        

But all that he could see, see, sea

Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea!
(put hand up to forehead as if to salute on the words "sea" and "see")

A sailor went to chop, chop, chop                                 

To see what he could chop, chop, chop                           

But all that he could chop, chop, chop

Was the bottom of the deep blue chop, chop, chop!
(use one hand to pretend to chop opposite forearm on the word "chop")  

A sailor went to knee, knee, knee                                      

To see what he could knee, knee, knee                             

But all that he could knee, knee, knee

Was the bottom of the deep blue knee, knee, knee!

(pat knee with hand on the word "knee")

A sailor went to do-wop-do-wah                                         

To see what he could do-wop-do-wah                               

But all that he could do-wop-do-wah

Was the bottom of the deep blue do-wop-do-wah!
(rub stomach with one hand on the word :Do-wop-do-wah"

A sailor went to sea, chop, knee, do-wop-do-wah                 

To see what he could sea, chop, knee, do-wop-do-wah

But all that he could sea, chop, knee, do-wop-do-wah

Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, chop, knee, do-wop-do-wah!
 (Do all four actions)

Sleeping Bunnies
Children crouch down on the ground, pretending to be asleep.

Look at all the bunnies sleeping till it's nearly noon
Shall we wake them with a merry tune?
Why so still? Are they ill?

Up little bunnies, up, up, up.
(Little bunnies stand up)

Jump little bunnies, jump, jump, jump.
(Little bunnies jump up and down)

Hop, little bunnies, hop, hop, hop.
(Little bunnies hop around)

Stop, little bunnies, stop! stop! stop!
(Children freeze)

Everybody Move Around The Room
I learnt this song at a music workshop for children with special needs. It is a great way for children to do a variety of different movements and get their wriggles out if they are fidgeting on the mat. It is a simple tune with a rhythmic beat.

Everybody march, march, march around the room
Around the room
Around the room
Everybody march, march, march around the room

Around the room

Around the room

And then we stop!

Change actions... creep, stomp, tiptoe, crawl, roll, skip, jump, hop, turn, star-jump... children love to contribute their ideas to this song. You can keep the beat by banging on a tambourine or drum, or even just clap your hands.

Our Gallant Ship

Children stand in a circle holding hands.  As you begin to sing, go around in a circle (just like Ring a Ring a Roses)

Three times around went our gallant ship,
And three times around went she
Three times around went our gallant ship
And she sank to the bottom of the sea!

(Jump up and down three times as you sing the last line, falling down to the ground as the ship sinks to the bottom of the sea!)

Down In The Forest
To the tune of Down in the meadow.  I learnt this song from a friend who taught at a Rudolf Steiner school in Auckland, and they re-wrote the song to teach children about native New Zealand birds and creatures.  Children can do the actions for each animal/bird..

Down in the forest in the shelter from the sun
Lives a brown mama kiwi and her little kiwi one.
"Sleep", said the mama. "I sleep", said the one
So they slept, and they slept, in the shelter from the sun.

Down in the forest where the moon shines blue
Lives a crafty mama ruru and her little ruru two.
"Swoop", said the mama. "We swoop" said the two.
So they swooped, and they swooped, where the moon shines blue.

Down in the forest on an old kauri tree
Lives a shiny mama snail and her little snails three.
"Slide", said the mama.  "We slide", said the three.
So they slid, and they slid, down the old kauri tree.

Down in the forest on the muddy forest floor
Lives a tiny daddy frog and his little froggies four.
"Hop", said the daddy.  "We hop", said the four.
So they hopped, and they hopped, on the muddy forest floor.

Down in the forest where it's good to be alive
Lives a mama tuatara and her little babies five.
"Bask" said the mama. "We bask" said the five.
So they basked, and they basked, where it's good to be alive.


Old Roger
Tune:  The Wheels on the Bus.  
This is a fun action song that children love. I learnt this song at a Rudolf Steiner school in Tauranga.  Choose one child to be Old Roger, who lies down in the middle of the circle with a blanket over him.  Choose one child in the circle to be the Old Lady, who will come and pick up the apples.  Make sure children stand in a large circle with lots of space in the middle for "Old Roger" to chase the "Old Lady" around.  I ask "Old Roger" to chase her but don't catch her.

Old Roger is dead and he lies in his grave,
lies in his grave, lies in his grave.
Old Roger is dead and he lies in his grave,
lies in his grave.
(Old Roger lies still in the middle; the rest of the children put both hands up to one side of their head as if they were sleeping).

They planted an apple tree over his head,
over his head, over his head.
They planted an apple tree over his head
over his head.
(Children pretend to dig a big hole, stomping their foot and using their arms for digging).

The apples grew ripe and they all tumbled down
all tumbled down, all tumbled down
The apples grew ripe and they all tumbled down
all tumbled down.
(The children reach up above their heads, and bend down and touch the floor on "all tumbled down")

Along came an old lady picking them up
picking them up, picking them up.
Along came an old lady picking them up
picking them up.
(Children bend down and pretend to pick up apples from the floor and put them in their baskets; The Old Lady enters into the circle, and starts to pick up apples).

Old Roger got up and he gave her a fright
gave her a fright, gave her a fright
Old Roger got up and he gave her a fright
gave her a fright.
(The children all run on the spot; Old Roger stands up and begins to chase the Old Lady around the middle of the circle).

This made the old lady go hippety-hop
hippety hop, hippety hop.
This made the old lady go hippety-hop
hippety hop.
(The children hop on the spot; The Old Lady and Old Roger start hopping around the middle of the circle).


The Green Grass Grows All Around
This is an echo song - the teacher sings each line and the children echo it, along with the actions (make them up if you don't know them).  Everyone sings the last line together. It is a long song, so better done with older children (4-5) rather than the young ones.

There was a hole (there was a hole)
In the middle of the ground (in the middle of the ground)
The prettiest hole (the prettiest hole)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around. (All)

And in that hole (and in that hole)
There was a tree (there was a tree)
The prettiest tree (the prettiest tree)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around. (All)

And on that tree (and on that tree)
There was a branch (there was a branch)
The prettiest branch (the prettiest branch)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.

And on that branch (and on that branch)
There was a nest (there was a nest)
The prettiest nest (the prettiest nest)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.

And in that nest (and in that nest)
There was an egg (there was an egg)
The prettiest egg (the prettiest egg)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the egg in the nest, and the nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.

And in the egg (and in the egg)
There was a bird (there was a bird)
The prettiest bird (the prettiest bird)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the bird in the egg, and the egg in the nest, and the nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.

And on that bird (and on that bird)
There was a wing (there was a wing)
The prettiest wing (the prettiest wing)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the wing on the bird, and the bird in the egg, and the egg in the nest, and the nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.

And on that wing (and on that wing)
There was a bug (there was a bug)
The prettiest bug (the prettiest bug)
That you ever did see (that you ever did see)
And the bug on the wing, and the wing on the bird, and the bird in the egg, and the egg in the nest, and the nest on the branch, and the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the ground, and the green grass grows all around and around, and the green grass grows all around.


The Jaybird
This is a silly (ie - fun) action chant.  Have children kneel on the ground, sitting back on their feet.  Every time the "whoop" is said, children raise up high.  The children enjoy the activity of kneeling up and down.  The jaybird is a brilliantly coloured, noisy chattering bird from Europe.

Away down south not very far off
A jaybird died of the whooping cough
He whooped so much with the whooping cough
That he whooped his head and his tail right off.


In And Out The Dusky Bluebells

In and out the dusky bluebells
In and out the dusky bluebells
In and out the dusky bluebells
I am your leader.
Children stand in a circle, holding hands up high, making arches.  One child walks in and out of the arches. When you get to "I am your leader", the child stands behind the person closest to them.

Tappety, tappety, on your shoulder
Tappety tappety, on your shoulder
Tappety, tappety, on your shoulder,
I am your leader.
The child taps the shoulder of the person in front of them. The tapped child then becomes the leader who starts walking in and out of the arches.  Eventually you end up with a large train of children holding onto each other, passing in and out of the remaining arches.


I Let Her Go, Go
This is a fun nonsense clapping game.  I teach children to first clap their hands together each time we say the word "go", so they get used to the rhythm.  When they can do that, I then teach them to clap their neighbours hands.  Once we have mastered that, we put our hands up to clap our neighbours hands on either side of them.  This takes a little bit of getting used to, and sometimes we miss, but it is fun!  The final one, is moving around the room on the third line, and clapping hands with someone else.

I let her go, go
Ai eee I let her go, go,
Ai eee I let her go
(Hold this 'go' for a long beat and turn around 360 degrees, coming to face back into the circle)
I let her go, go, go.


Cuddly Koalas
(To the tune of Frere Jacques)

Cuddly koalas, cuddly koalas
Possums too, possums too
Wallabies and wombats, wallabies and wombats
Kangaroo, and kangaroo

Koalas: fold arms and rock them
Possums: fingers make circles around eyes
Wallabies and wombats: spread each arm out
Kangaroo: jump like a kangaroo



One Finger, One Thumb, Keep Moving

One finger, one thumb, keep moving
One finger, one thumb, keep moving,
One finger, one thumb, keep moving
We'll all be happy and bright.

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving,
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving,
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, keep moving,
We'll all be happy and bright.

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, keep moving,
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, keep moving,
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, keep moving,
We'll all be happy and bright.

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, stand up, sit down, keep moving,

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, stand up, sit down, keep moving,

One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, stand up, sit down, keep moving,

We'll all be happy and bright.

Jodi Works With One Hammer

Jodi works with one hammer, one hammer, one hammer,

Jodi works with one hammer, all day long

(Children use one hand, make a hammering action)

Jodi works with two hammers, two hammers, two hammers,

Jodi works with two hammers, all day long

(Children make a hammering action using both hands)

Jodi works with three hammers, three hammers, three hammers,

Jodi works with three hammers, all day long

(Children make hammering action with two hands and one leg)

Jodi works with four hammers, four hammers, four hammers,

Jodi works with four hammers, all day long

(Children make hammering action with two hands and two legs)

Children work with five hammers, five hammers, five hammers

Jodi works with five hammers, all day long

(Children make hammering action with two hands, two legs, and nod head all at the same time)

Hokey Pokey
This is a well-known fun circle song. It really doesn't matter whether children know their left from their right, as long as they put an arm or leg in!

Put your left arm in, put your left arm out
Put your left arm in, and shake it all about
Do the hokey pokey and you turn around      (Swing hips side to side and turn around)
And that's what it's all about!                         (Clap hands on each word)

Oh-oh the hokey pokey               (everyone comes into the middle of the circle and back out)
Oh-oh the hokey pokey
Oh-oh the hokey pokey
And that's what it's all about    (Clap on each word)

Other verses:
Put your right arm in...
Put your left leg in...
Put your right leg in...
Put your head in...
Put your bottom in...
Put your whole self in...


Row Your Boat
You can either get into pairs facing each other and holding hands, or sit in a circle holding hands. Move your arms forwards and backwards as if you are rowing.

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream.

Other verses:
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
If you see a crocodile
Don't forget to scream!
Aargh!

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Toss your teacher overboard
And listen to her scream!
Aargh!

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Ha, ha, fooled you,
I'm a submarine!


Mrs Bunny

Mrs Bunny is funny when she wriggles her nose   (point to your nose)
Mrs Bunny is funny when she wriggles her toes   (wriggle toes)
Two floppy ears and two big feet                           (Make two ears with hands; lift your feet)
I love Mrs Bunny 'cos she's so neat.                      (Two thumbs up)
Mrs Bunny stretches                                              (Stretch up high)
Mrs Bunny flops                                                    (Bend over and touch the floor)
Mrs Bunny hops and hops and hops                     (hop on one leg)
and Mrs Bunny hops and stops!                           (hop on one leg and stop)


Skip To My Lou
I learnt this song at the Rudolf Steiner school in Tauranga when I was on placement there.  My A.T. had written the two extra verses. 

Chorus
Skip, skip, skip to my lou                            (dance around in a circle)
Skip, skip, skip to my lou

Skip, skip, skip to my lou

Skip to my lou my darling

Flies in the sugar bowl, shoo shoo shoo,   (make shooing motion with hands)

Flies in the sugar bowl, shoo shoo shoo,

Flies in the sugar bowl, shoo shoo shoo,

Skip to my lou my darling

Chorus                                                     (dance around in a circle) 

Cows in the meadow, moo, moo, moo   (stick pointer fingers up on head, like horns)
Cows in the meadow, moo, moo, moo

Cows in the meadow, moo, moo, moo

Skip to my lou my darling

Chorus                                                      (dance around in a circle)

Someone's hiding, peek-a-boo                 (cover face with hands; open up to reveal face)

Someone's hiding, peek-a-boo

Someone's hiding, peek-a-boo

Skip to my lou my darling

Chorus                                                      (dance around in a circle)

Pick A Bale of Cotton
(This is an old American song about the Negro slaves picking cotton in the cotton fields of South America).

I'm gonna jump down, turn around, pick a bale of cotton.
Jump down, turn around, pick a bale a day.
I'm gonna jump down, turn around, pick a bale of cotton;
Jump down, turn around, pick a bale a day.

Oh Lordy! pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy! pick a bale a day.
Oh Lordy! pick a bale of cotton
Oh Lordy! pick a bale a day.

I'm going to step to the left, step to the right, pick a bale of cotton.
Step to the left, step to the right, pick a bale a day.
I'm going to step to the left, step to the right, pick a bale of cotton.

Step to the left, step to the right, pick a bale a day

Repeat chorus

I'm going to stand up, sit down, pick a bale of cotton.
Stand up, sit down, pick a bale a day.
I'm going to stand up, sit down, pick a bale of cotton.
Stand up, sit down, pick a bale a day.

Repeat chorus


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