More
action songs M-P
Mama
don’t allow
Michael
row the boat ashore
Miss
Mary Mac, Mac, Mac
Mister
Green Froggie
Moose,
monkey, kangaroo
Most
times I am happy
Move
with me
Mr.
Jumping Jack Man
My
ship sailed from China
My
thumbs are starting to wiggle
My
dog Rags
My
red balloon
My
roots go down
Nicky,
knacky, knocky, noo
‘Neath
the spreading chestnut tree
O,
I’m goin’ to sing
Oh
my, fish in the sky
Oh,
what shall we do in our garden?
Okki-tokki-unga
Old
Miss Sally
Old
Missouri had a mule
Oliver
Twist twist twist
One
finger, one thumb
Pickin’
a spot
Pinta
la cara del sol / Paint the round face of the sun
Last updated: 11/24/2022
11:48 AM
The songs below are part of ‘Away we
go’ Round and about
compiled,
adapted and illustrated by Dany Rosevear
Return to the ‘Singing games for
children’ home
To
listen to music from these songs click on 🔊
To watch the author sing a song click on
the title at:
© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved
You
are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the
following conditions:
·
you must give the original author credit
·
you may not use this work for commercial purposes
·
for any re-use or distribution, you must make clear to others the
licence terms of this work
·
any of these can be waived if you get permission from the copyright
holder
Your
fair use and other rights are no way affected by the above.
|
Mama don’t allow 🔊
Move and
dance to this energetic traditional song from the USA. It was
originally played by a 'Jug Band' – a band that uses anything to hand to be
played, often from the kitchen, washroom or even a comb with tissue paper! I
remember well doing something similar in the kitchen in my first house at
teacher training college with a varied group of students, great fun and a
great bonding activity!! The
activities for this version came from ‘Merrily, Merrily’ The nursing mothers’
association of Australia publishe in 1979. Arrangement Dany Rosevear. 1. Clap to the rhythm of the music. 2. Jump up
and down to the rhythm. 3. Dance to the rhythm whirling hands above the head.
4. Stomp to the rhythm. 4. Play an imaginary instrument. |
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Mama don't allow no yellin' and shoutin' 'round here, Mama don't allow no yellin' and shoutin' 'round here, Well, we don't care what mama don't allow, Gonna yell and shout just any old how, Mama don't allow no yellin' and shoutin' 'round here. Mama don't allow no bed jumpin' 'round here, Mama don't allow no bed jumpin' 'round here, Well, we don't care what mama don't allow, Gonna jump on the bed just any old how, Mama don't allow no bed jumpin' 'round here. Mama don't allow no stompin' in puddles 'round here, Mama don't allow no stompin' in puddles 'round here, Well, we don't care what mama don't allow, Gonna stomp in the puddles just any old how, Mama don't allow no stompin' in puddles 'round here. Mama don't allow no pillow fightin' 'round here, Mama don't allow no pillow fightin' 'round here, Well, we don't care what mama don't allow, Gonna fight with the pillows just any old how, Mama don't allow no pillow fightin' 'round here. Mama don't allow no guitar playin’ 'round here, Mama don't allow no guitar playin’ 'round here, Well, we don't care what mama don't allow, Gonna play my guitar just any old how, Mama don't allow no guitar playin’ 'round here. |
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Michael row
the boat ashore O
A more simple version of an African American spiritual song sung by
former slaves and collected in the 1860s by Charles Pickard Ware an abolitionist,
see more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Row_the_Boat_Ashore
Gently rock to and fro with a partner. |
|
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah! Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah! Sister help to trim the sails, Hallelujah! Sister help to trim the sails, Hallelujah! The river is deep and the river is wide,
Hallelujah! Milk and honey on the other side, Hallelujah! |
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Mister Green
Froggie 🔊
A little scenario to dramatise. Children work with a partner, one
takes the role of the frog the other the fly. Second time it can be reversed.
Alternately this can be used as a hand play, see the video. From ‘Materials for
nursery school teachers’ 1973 edited by Virginia McCaig. Music by Dany
Rosevear. 1. First child sits on the
floor with hands folded against cheeks and eyes closed. 2. Second child flies over
and crouches beside frog. 3. First child raises head and opens eyes. 4. First
child claps hands together. 5. Second child flies away. 6. First child rises
and hops away. |
|
Mister Green Froggie
was fast asleep, On
a lily pad where the pool was deep. He
heard some wings go buzzing by, He opened
his eyes and there was a fly! Snap
went the froggie! Away the fly flew, And
Mr. Green Froggie went hopping off, too. |
|
Moose, monkey,
kangaroo O
Played in the same way as ‘Head, shoulders, knees and toes’. First time sing each animal’s name and do the following actions; moose: put hands to head to make antlers, monkey: scratch underarms, kangaroo:
make a riding action with hands, worm:
wiggle forefinger, owl: make
circles round eyes with thumbs and forefingers, butterfly: link thumbs and flap hands, flea: make forefinger hop on palm of the hand. Second time omit the word ‘moose’ but do all actions as before.
Continue missing out a new animal each time until there is no singing and
only actions in the last but one verse. Finally sing all the words and make each movement as in the first
verse. |
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Moose, monkey, kangaroo,
kangaroo. Moose, monkey, kangaroo,
kangaroo. And worm and owl and
butterfly and flea, Moose, monkey, kangaroo,
kangaroo. |
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Most times I am happy 🔊
Get rid of
those heebie jeebies. An action rhyme for difficult moments. There’s always
something you can try when the blues hit, might work, might not but don’t
give up – it’s also a good excuse to count using different number strings. Words and
music by Dany Rosevear. Make facial expressions to signify feelings. 1. Breathe deeply and count to ten. 2. Go up on
tiptoes, bend knees and then turn around. 3. Stamp feet, stretch up tall as
high as possible, move hands slowly to sides with a sigh. Repeat counting from ten to nine or any other
number string. Repeat quickly. |
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Most times I am happy, But sometimes I feel sad, Sometimes I go crazy, Sometimes I get mad; It helps to take a deep breath And then count up to ten: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Then go, up, down, turn around, Stamp your feet upon the ground; Stretch your hands up, high, high, high, And give a great big sigh! Not working? Try counting back from 10 / back from 10 / in tens to 100 etc. Not working? Do it faster! |
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Move with me 🔊
Keep this a
simple movement game for the younger ones but add the last verse to challenge
older children. Start clapping in a circle sitting down until
the rhythm is familiar then move in and out of each other into spaces around
the room. |
|
Oh, you clap and you clap and you clap and you STOP! And you clap and you clap and you clap and you STOP! And you clap and you clap and you clap and you STOP! And you clap and you clap and you STOP! Oh, you walk and you walk and you walk and you STOP! And you walk and you walk and you walk and you STOP! And you walk and you walk and you walk and you STOP! And you walk and you walk and you STOP! Oh, you jump and you jump and you jump and you STOP! And you jump and you jump and you jump and you STOP! And you jump and you jump and you jump and you STOP! And you jump and you jump and you STOP! Oh, you hop and you hop and you hop and you
STOP! And you hop and you hop and you hop and you
STOP! And you hop and you hop and you hop and you
STOP! Stand as still as you can be! Then… SIT! |
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Using a classic wooden Jumping Jack toy pull string to demonstrate how
legs and arms move up and down. Verse 1: Jump normally with
a partner for the first two lines. Do cross wise jumps. Shake hands with
partner. Verse 2: As before. Last
line hold partners hands and jump up and down. |
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Mr. Jumping Jack Man is a
funny, funny man, He jumps and jumps as fast as
he can; His arms go out and his legs
go too; Mr. Jumping Jack Man, I’ll
jump with you! Mr. Jumping Jack Man is a
funny, funny man, He jumps and jumps as fast as
he can; His arms go out and his legs
go too; Mr. Jumping Jack Man, How do
you do? |
|
A clapping or skipping rhyme well known all over the English speaking
world. In England ‘pence’ is replace by ‘cents’. The version below with elephants and the 4th of July is
from the USA. Opie’s ‘The Singing Game’ mentions a Miss Jackson in the 1870s
from Shropshire who saw children skipping along in pairs with hands crossed
singing: ‘Betsy Blue came all in black, Silver buttons down her back…’ You can find two clapping games here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Mack
There are many delightful videos of children clapping watch this one
at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz6gUgRK5So
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Miss Mary Mac, Mac, Mac, All dressed in black,
black, black, With silver buttons,
buttons, buttons, All down her back, back,
back. She asked her mother,
mother, mother, For fifty cents, cents,
cents, To see the elephant,
elephant, elephant, Jump over the fence,
fence, fence. He jumped so high, high,
high, He reached the sky, sky,
sky, And never came back, back,
back, Till the fourth of July,
-ly, -ly. She went upstairs, stairs,
stairs, And bumped her head, head,
head, And now she’s DEAD! |
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A
great syncopated song with a ragtime rhythm. The
music slightly adapted and with chords added is from Beth’sNotes.com: http://bethsmusicnotes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/my-dog-rags.html
Actions:
Verse 1 Line 1 Point to self. 2 Pretend to eat and hands indicate tummy. 3 .Hands flap alternatively up and down to
make floppy ears then move from side to side like a tail wagging. 4 Make two
fingers walk, move hips from side to side. Use
same movements for the chorus. Line 4 Point to self and cross hands on heart. Verse
2 Line 1 Point to self. 2 Roll arms. 3 Whistle and with hands flat move arms
across each other – over and under. 4 Make two fingers walk and then thumbs
point away in opposite directions. |
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I have a dog and his name is Rags, He eats so much that his tummy sags. His ears flip-flop and his tail wig-wags, And when he walks, he goes zig-zag. Chorus He goes flip-flop, wig-wag, zig-zag, He goes flip-flop, wig-wag, zig-zag, He goes flip-flop, wig-wag, zig-zag, I love Rags and he loves me! My dog Rags, he loves to play, He rolls around in the mud all day, I whistle, (whistle)
he won't obey, He always runs the other way. Chorus My dog Rags, he loves to bark, He wants me to join him in the park, He barks, (woof,
woof) he tries to talk, He barks to chase the cats away. Chorus |
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My red balloon 🔊
An action
song for celebratory times. Young children love balloons though some can be
anxious about the big bang when it pops! This song might provide some
reassurance. Encourage
children to choose their favourite colour each time the song is sung. A traditional
rhyme, music by Dany Rosevear. 1. Hold up imaginary balloon. 2. Hold hands
near mouth and pretend to blow it up. 3. Spread hands further apart for each
‘grew’. 4. With palms up pretend to throw the balloon up. 5. With palms down
pretend to bounce the balloon on the ground. 6. Clap hands to pop the
balloon. |
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And I blew, and blew and blew, And it grew, and grew, and grew. I threw it up into the air, And I didn't let it drop. I bounced it down upon the ground, And it went POP! |
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My roots go down 🔊
Words and music by Sarah Pirtle, © 1979 and 1989. You will find many other delightful versions of this song on the internet as Sarah has encouraged others to make up verses meaningful to their own lives. You will also notice differing interpretations of the music. Sarah has
recently created a site where people can hear and download sixty of her two
hundred songs for free: http://sarahpirtle.com/hope-sings/heart-of-the-world.htm
Move with imagination; the video will give you
some ideas! |
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My roots go down, down to the earth, My roots go down, down to the earth, My roots go down, down to the earth, My roots go down! I am a pine tree on the mountainside, I am a pine tree on the mountainside, I am a pine tree on the mountainside, My roots go down! I am a tiny stream trickling down, I am a tiny stream trickling down, I am a tiny stream trickling down, My roots go down! I am a willow in a raging storm, I am a willow in a raging storm, I am a willow in a raging storm, My roots go down! I am a waterfall skipping home… I am the river rushing to the sea…. I am an ocean wild and free… We are the voice
of every living thing… |
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This is a cumulative action
song and great fun as the movements get progressively harder to perform. each
time the song is sung.
|
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My thumbs are starting to wiggle 🔊
Get rid of
all those fidgety feelings, ready to sit down and concentrate. Identify
different parts of the body. Begin with small movements and move to larger
ones to finish sitting down quietly. Wiggle each body part as it is mentioned. |
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My thumbs are starting to wiggle, My thumbs are starting to wiggle, My thumbs are starting to wiggle, Around and around and around. x2 My hands are starting to wiggle, x3 Around and around and around. x2 My arms are starting to wiggle,x3 Around and around and around. x2 My legs are starting to wiggle,x3 Around and around and around. x2 Now all of me is a wiggling, x3 I think I had better sit down. x2 |
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‘Neath the spreading
chestnut tree O
Words
possibly by Hamilton and Jimmy. Kennedy and set to music by Hal Kemp; it was
inspired by the first line of the poem ’The village blacksmith’ by Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 – 1832). Find more actions at: http://jabblog-jabblog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/underneath-spreading-chestnut-tree.html The full version is shown below but to simplify things in order to
play the following cumulative action game just sing the first two verses. Each time the refrain ‘Under
the spreading chestnut tree’ is sung: ‘neath – dip down Spreading
– stretch out arms Chestnut – touch chest then
head Tree – raise hands When song is repeated miss the
first word and replace by the action. Next time omit the first two words and just mime actions.
Continue until only actions are used for the phrase. |
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Underneath the spreading chestnut tree, I loved her and she loved me. There she used to sit upon my knee, 'Neath the spreading chestnut tree. There beneath the boughs we used to meet, All her kisses were so sweet. All the little birds went, “Tweet, tweet, tweet!” 'Neath the spreading chestnut tree. I said, “I love you, and there ain't no ifs nor
buts.” She said "I love you", and the
blacksmith shouted "Chestnuts!" Underneath the spreading chestnut tree, There she said she’d marry me. Now you ought to see our family, 'Neath the spreading chestnut tree. |
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Nicky,
knacky, knocky, noo 🔊
A community song. Identify each part of the
body with a comic name. Each time a verse is sung move progressively
downwards from the head to feet. This is an adapted version from
‘Okki-tokki-unga’ published by A&C Black in 1976. Place hands
on each body part as it is sung and wiggle tap or slap it. ‘What have we
here?’ throw out hands, ‘Nicky, knacky, knocky noo’ alternately tap each
elbow. Shake finger on last line. |
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What have we here? This is my main thinker, My teacher dear. Main thinker, main thinker, Nicky, knacky, knocky, noo. That's what they taught me When I went to school. With my hands on my eyes, What have we here? These are my eye blinkers, My teacher dear. Main thinker, eye blinkers, Nicky, knacky, knocky, noo. That's what they taught me When I went to school. With my hands on my nose, What have we here? This is my smell boxer, My teacher dear. Main thinker, eye blinkers, smell boxer… With my hands on my chin, What have we here? This is my chin wagger, My teacher dear. Main thinker, eye blinkers, smell boxer, chin wagger… With my hands on my chest, What have we here? This is my chest cougher, My teacher dear. Main thinker, eye blinkers, smell boxer, chin wagger, chest cougher… With my hands on my tum, What have we here? This is my bread basket, My teacher dear. Main thinker, eye blinkers, smell boxer, chin wagger, chest cougher,
bread basket… With my hands on my knees, What have we here? These are my knee knockers, My teacher dear. Main thinker, eye blinkers, smell boxer, chin wagger, chest cougher,
bread basket, knee knockers… With my hands on my toes, What have we here? These are my toe tappers, My teacher dear. Main thinker, eye blinkers, smell boxer, chin wagger, chest cougher,
bread basket, knee knockers, toe tappers… |
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O, I’m goin’
to sing 🔊
A song of good cheer. A rhythmic Southern
gospel song. Mime the
actions suggested by the words. |
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O, I'm
goin' to sing, goin' to sing, goin' to sing, Goin'
to sing all along my way, O,
I'm goin' to sing, goin' to sing, goin' to sing, Goin'
to sing all along my way. O,
I'm goin' to clap, goin' to clap, goin' to clap, Goin'
to clap all along my way, O,
I'm goin' to clap, goin' to clap, goin' to clap, Goin'
to clap all along my way. O,
I'm goin' to tap, goin' to tap, goin' to tap, Goin'
to tap all along my way, O,
I'm goin' to tap, goin' to tap, goin' to tap, Goin'
to tap all along my way. O,
I'm goin' to snap, goin' to snap, goin' to snap, Goin'
to snap all along my way, O,
I'm goin' to snap, goin' to snap, goin' to snap, Goin'
to snap all along my way. O,
I'm goin' to dance, goin' to dance, goin' to dance, Goin'
goin' to dance all along my way, O,
I'm goin' to dance, goin' to dance, goin' to dance, Goin'
to dance all along my way. |
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Oh, my, fish
in the sky 🔊
A great triple meter rhyme, encourage children
to make up their own tunes; the melody here is by Dany Rosevear. Mime the
actions suggested by the words. |
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Oh, my, fish in the sky, Shoes on the ceiling and trees walking by. Reaching up low, bending down high. Everything seems to be wrong, right? Everything seems to be wrong. |
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Oh, what shall
we do in our garden? 🔊
This song comes from ‘More singing games’ by
Edith Kay published 1909. The tune is ‘The bluebells of Scotland’ as
suggested in ‘This little Puffin’ published 1969. Dany Rosevear arranged the tune and wrote the
second verse. Mime the
actions suggested by the words. Encourage
children to suggest other gardening activities. |
|
Oh, what shall we do in our garden this fine
day? Oh, what shall we do in our garden this fine
day? We’ll dig and dig and dig well, With our spades this way. Oh, we’ll dig and we’ll dig in our garden
this fine day. Oh, what shall we do in our garden this fine
day? Oh, what shall we do in our garden this fine
day? We’ll weed and weed and weed well, With our trowels this way. Oh, we’ll weed and we’ll weed in our garden
this fine day. |
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Okki-tokki-unga 🔊
This is the story, so it is said, of an eskimo lad
who goes fishing in his canoe. Mark the beat with the actions below. Find out more at: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=102109. Chorus: Sit on floor and paddle from side to side with one
fist on top of the other. Verse 1. Put hand to forehead and
mime looking around. Verse 2. Cast net to one
side then the other. Chorus last time: Paddle slowly home. |
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Okki-tokki-unga, Okki-tokki-unga, Hey, Missa Day, Missa Doh, Missa Day. Okki-tokki-unga, Okki-tokki-unga, Hey, Missa Day, Missa Doh, Missa Day. Hexa cola misha woni, Hexa cola misha woni, Hexa cola misha woni. |
|
Old Miss
Sally 🔊
This song comes from ‘Very favorites of the
very young’ published by World Around Songs in 1986. It is also familiar as a
fiddle tune. Make a
circle with one child in the centre; this named, real or made up, child
suggests a movement which the others copy. Finish with a bow from the waist. |
|
Old Miss Sally likes to jumpity jump, Jumpity jump, jumpity jump, Old Miss Sally likes to jumpity jump, And old Miss Sally likes to bow. Old Mr. Bob likes to bobbity bob, Bobbity bob, bobbity bob, Old Mr. Bob likes to bobbity bob, And old Mr. Bob likes to bow. Young Master Ethan likes to hoppity hop… Young Miss Milly likes to clap her hands… Young Master Isaac likes to stretch up high… |
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Old Missouri
had a mule 🔊
This song could well be a precursor of ‘Old
MacDonald’. It is recorded in Ozark Folksongs, volume 3 and collected from
Mr. H. F. Walker, Missouri, 1927. Find out more at: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=63612. It can also be found on one of Burl Ives albums.This
could easily be played as a cumulative song. With hands
to head flop them like ears in all directions. Swish arm every which way for
the tail and use elbows for heel. Children sitting on the floor might like to
stick their legs in the air! |
|
Old Missouri had a mule, he-hi-he-hi-ho! And on this mule there were two ears,
he-hi-he-hi-ho! With a flip-flop here, And a flip-flop
there, Here a flop, there a flop, Everywhere a
flip-flop, Old Missouri had a mule, he-hi-he-hi-ho! Old Missouri had a mule, he-hi-he-hi-ho! And on this mule there was a tail,
he-hi-he-hi-ho! With a swish-swish here, And a swish-swish
there, Here a swish, there a swish Everywhere a
swish-swish, Old Missouri had a mule, he-hi-he-hi-ho! Old Missouri had a mule, he-hi-he-hi-ho! And on this mule there were two heels,
he-hi-he-hi-ho! With a kick-kick here, And a kick-kick
there, Here a kick, there a kick, Everywhere a
kick-kick! Old Missouri had a mule, he-hi-he-hi-ho! |
|
Learn the name of body parts with this action song for younger
children. Ask them to suggest other parts and add more verses. 1. Make a twisting motion
with hands on hips. 2. Wag forefinger from side
to side. 3. Touch named part of body
three times. Repeat this for each verse. Add the last verse if
children are ready for more complex movements. |
|
Oliver
Twist, twist, twist, Can’t
do this, this, this, Touch
his knees, knees, knees, Touch
his nose, nose, nose, Touch
his hair, hair, hair, Touch
his toes, toes, toes. Oliver
Twist, twist, twist, Can’t
do this, this, this, Touch
his ears, ears, ears, Touch
his waist, waist, waist, Touch
his eyes, eyes, eyes, Touch
his face, face, face. Oliver
Twist, twist, twist, Can’t
do this, this, this, Clap
his hands, hands, hands, Touch
the ground, ground, ground, Stamp
his feet, feet, feet, Turn
around, round, round! |
|
A very energetic action song. Move each part of the body
as it is mentioned up and down. |
|
One
finger, one thumb keep moving, One
finger, one thumb keep moving, One
finger, one thumb keep moving, We’ll
all be merry and bright. One
finger, one thumb, one arm... One
finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg... One
finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head... One
finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head... One
finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, stand up, sit
down... One
finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, stand up, sit down,
and turn around keep moving... We’ll
all be merry and bright! |
|
Pickin’ a spot 🔊
Plant more
trees to reduce the impact of climate change. A
traditional action song for the growing season. 1. Put hand to forehead. 2. Chop with hands. 3.
Pretend to lift and move rocks. 4. Make a smoothing motion with hands. 5.Make
digging motions. 6. Plant seeds in hand. 7. Pat. 8. Finger ‘grows through
fist. 9. Wiggle fingers downwards. 10. Draw circle and wiggle fingers up. 11.
Raise arms and outstretch fingers. 12. Clap hands and eat ‘apples’. |
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Cuttin’ the weeds down, Movin’ the rocks, Clearin’ the land. Diggin’ a hole Puttin’ the seeds in, Pattin’ it down, Watchin’ it grow. Rain falls, Sun shines, Trees grow. Apples! Whoa! It’s now apple time! |
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Pinta la cara del sol 🔊
This song
was written to link mathematics, music, drawing and rhythm. Draw the sun as
the song is sung, count rays, eyes, mouth and sunspots. Alternatively
make big movements to dramatise doing
the same. Words by
Tita Maya. http://musicalibre.com.co/Cantayensena/Dibujor%C3%ADtmico.aspx
|
|
Pinta la cara del sol Pinta la cara del sol Con muchos rayitos a su alrededor Un ojo, dos ojos y un gran bocaton Y muchas pequitas cuando hace calor Paint the round face of the sun, Paint the round face of the sun, With many sunbeams shining brightly all around; Paint one eye, paint two eyes and a great big smile, And a lot of little spots for when it's hot. |
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