Tiptoeing in the dark
The apple tree / Here is a tree with
leaves so green
The earth needs the raindrops
The owl and the brownies
The rainbow
The snake charmer
The sun it rises
The waves on the sea
There was a hungry hunter
This little mountain
This little tiger is very wild
Tiny little bird
To the sky and back
Tommy Thumb
Tommy Thumb is up
Tortoise the brave
Two fat gentlemen
Two little
blackbirds sitting in the snow
Two little
blackbirds sitting in the sun
Two little dickie birds
Two little feet go tap tap tap
Two little houses
Two mother pigs
Up the tall white candlestick
Up to the ceiling, down to the floor
Where is Thumbkin?
Wild geese flying
Wiggle them, wiggle them
Last updated: 7/17/2018 2:40 PM
These songs are nursery rhymes and
other traditional songs compiled,
illustrated and music arranged by
Dany Rosevear.
Return to the ‘Singing games for children’ home page
To listen to music from these songs click on 🔊
To watch the
author sing a song click on the title at:
©
Dany Rosevear 2013 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.
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The apple tree / Here is a tree 🔊
A simple hand play
for Autumn for the very young. 1. Put forearms together and spread hands. 2. Make hands
into fists. 3. Move hands like the wind and fists tumble down with rolling
arms. 4. Make a basket with hand, pick up apples and put them in the basket. |
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Here is a tree with leaves so green. Here are the apples that hang in between. When the wind blows the apples will fall, And here is a basket to gather them all. |
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The earth needs the raindrops 🔊
A
hand play to remind us we are all dependent on each other and the world
around us. Words
by J. Kartsch and music by A. Wagner . Verse 1. Draw a large circle with
hands, make rain fall with fingers. Shade eyes. Hands open and close. Put
hands to cheek. Verse 2. Arm and hand make a tree. Cup hand on thumb. Put
crossed hands to heart. |
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The earth needs the raindrops, The day needs a light, And heaven needs little stars When the day turns to night. The tree needs a little branch Where the bird builds her nest, And we need a little heart To love and to trust. |
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The owl and the brownies 🔊
How quiet
can you be? Written
by Maude Burnham from ‘Rhymes for little
hands’ published 1906. The music is by Lucille F. Wood and can be found in
the classic ‘Singing Fun’ published in 1966. Here it is adapted and arranged by
Dany Rosevear. Line 1. Place two fingers thumb of hand. 2. Put finger to lips. 3.
Place thumb and forefingers round eyes. 4. Look around then shake finger. 5.
Fingers run up arm. 6. Put finger to lips 7. Two forefingers make beak. 8.
Fingers jump off arm, fly and hide behind back. 9. Place two fingers on the
other arm. 10. Put finger to lips. |
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An owl sat alone on the branch of a tree, He was as quiet as quiet could be; ‘Twas night and his eyes were open like this! He looked all around; not a thing did he miss! Some brownies crept up to the branch of the tree, And sat there quietly as still as could be; Said the wise owl, “Too-whoo, Too-whoo!” Then up jumped the brownies and away they all flew! An owl sat alone on the branch of a tree, He was as quiet as quiet could be. |
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The rainbow 🔊
Appreciate
the wonder of our world - how a rainbow is made. Sing cheerfully. Another from the words of Emilie Poulsson, music by Eleanor Smith. Line 1. Make a big round shape, wiggle fingers downward. 2. Put hand to
mouth. 3. Point upwards. 4. Make rain as before and wiggle fingers up for the
sunshine. 5. Hands move outwards. 6. Sweep hands overhead. |
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Sun shining, rain falling, And everyone calling, Oh! Look at the glorious sky! For shower and shining, In beauty combining, A rainbow have painted on high. |
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The snake charmer 🔊
This
familiar piece of musicis associated
with belly dancing and has a number of titles including ‘The streets of Cairo’;
you can also find children’s verses with inappropriate words! These words
come from flute and piano tutors. 1. Hand and arm make a basket. 2.
The other hand rests on arm through hole made. 3.Play pretend flute. 4.
Snakes head rises, looks around, bends and sways. |
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In a place I know, A magician has a show; In his basket deep Lies a cobra fast asleep. When the master plays a haunting sound, It rises up and looks around, It bends and sways While the master’s music plays. |
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The sun it rises 🔊
A gentle
had play to calm everyone or before bedtime. Discuss where the sun rises. Can also be sung as a round. Line 1. and 2. While sitting lift arms from lap in a rounded shape and
move slowly from low left, overhead and then gently down on the right side.
3. and 4. Bring rounded arms up in front, open arms and wiggle fingers
downwards in front to settle in lap. |
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The sun it rises in the day, And in the evening slips away. The moon it comes up in the night, And fades away in the morning light. |
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The waves on the sea 🔊
All at
sea. A great one for accompanying with percussion as well as for actions, and
you can easily add your own marine verses. Line 1. Wave hands up and down. 2. Place hands together and swish from
side to side. 3. Open and close hands. 4. Roll arms round each other. 5. With
hands face down wiggle fingers. 6. Hands and arms make a leaping motion. 7.
Pull an imaginary lever for each toot. |
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The waves on the sea go up and down, Up and down, up and down. The waves on the sea go up and down, All day long. The fish in the sea go swish, swish, swish, Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, The fish in the sea go swish, swish, swish, All day long. The sharks in the sea go snap, snap, snap, Snap, snap, snap, snap, snap, snap, The sharks in the sea go snap, snap, snap, All day long. The seals in the sea roll round and round, Round and round, round and round, The seals in the sea roll round and round, All day long. The jellyfish in the sea go wibble, wobble, wibble, Wibble, wobble, wibble, wibble, wobble, wibble, The jellyfish in the sea go wibble, wobble, wibble, All day long. The dolphins in the sea they dip and dive, Dip and dive, dip and dive, The dolphins in the sea they dip and dive, All day long. The boats on the sea go toot, toot, toot, Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, The boats on the sea go toot, toot, toot, All day long. |
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There was a hungry hunter 🔊
This humorous and alliterative hand
play is from ‘Acting rhymes’ by Clive Sansom published in the 1960s where it
is suggested that a bear speaks line 5 and 6. The author is unknown. Dany
Rosevear added the tune and the handplay below. 1-4. Rub tummy, put circled thumb and forefingers to eyes. Hold up fore
finger and middle to make ears. 5-6. Rub tummy and look fierce. 7-8. Roll
arms over each other and make two fingers run. |
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Went hunting for a
hare, But where he hoped the
hare would be He found a hairy bear! “I’m very very hungry: I get hungry now and then.” The hunter turned
head-over-heels And hurried home
again. |
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This little mountain
This hand play is from John M.
Feierabend’s collection ‘Wiggles and tickles’ published 1999. It can be
played with baby wiggling fingers and drawing sun on palm or tummy, dotting
rain with fingers and so on; or as below with older children. Line 1. Touch thumb and make circle with thumbs and forefinger. 2.
Touch forefinger and make rain fall with fingers. 3 .and 4. Touch middle
finger then shade eyes and peer. 5. Touch ring finger then put hands to
cheek. 6. Make a pointed cap above head. 7. And 8. Point to little finger and
shape tree with palms together. This little mountain finds the sun, This little mountain drinks the rain, This little mountain shades its eyes And looks across the plain. This little mountain is ready for bed With a white cap on top of its head; And this little mountain is up to its knees, In so many wonderful
Christmas trees! |
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This little tiger is very wild 🔊
Not too scary! Tune by Dany Rosevear. Start with the thumb and touch each finger in sequence. 1.Growl like a
tiger. 2. Kiss second finger. 3. Draw stripes on middle finger. 4. Bend finger
down. 5. Wiggle finger, circle round the palm of the other and sniff. Bite
left hand with right. |
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This little tiger is very
wild, This little tiger is a
loving child. This little tiger has
big black stripes, This little tiger is
tucked up for the night. This little tiger
likes to prowl and smell, But his teeth are too
small to bite quite well. |
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Tiny little bird O
A Turkish song for winter, ‘Mini
Mini Bir Kus’, melody and words by Saip Eguz. Move
thumb and forefinger like beak. Perch bird on other hand. Cup hands. Cover
hand and open and close beak. Cross hands to make wings, flap and move
upwards and away. Throw out hands and
look sad. |
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Tiny, little bird was frozen stiff, Sitting on my window sill. Gently did I cradle him, To make him warm and hear him sing. Suddenly he flapped his little wings, Off he flew in the wind and snow. Mini Mini Bir Kus
Donmustu Pencereme konmustu Aldim onu iceriye Cik cik cik cik
otsun diye Pir pir ederken canlandi Ellerim bak bos kaldi… |
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Tiptoeing in the dark 🔊
This
spooky hand play would work well at Halloween! It
could also be played as an action rhyme; pairs of children holding hands
creep in and out of each other, when the candle is blown out they huddle
together for reassurance. The
words came from a collection of nursery
rhymes.
Music
and game by Dany Rosevear. Point up, point down, place finger
to mouth – Shhh! Fingers creep forward, finger moves
round, make a roof shape. Fingers creep forward and about. Move hands like the
wind and shake head, put finger up like a candle, blow out flame – Phwooh! |
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Upstairs, downstairs, quiet as a mouse; Shhhh! Tiptoe, tiptoe, all around the house. Tiptoe, tiptoe, creep and creep about; I hope the wind won't come along and blow my candle out! Phwooh! |
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To the sky and back 🔊
The story of the water
cycle. Words by Emilie Poullson, music by Eleanor Smith from ‘Songs of a
little child’s day’. 1. Make fingers dance. Fingers rise up. 2. Make a round
earth. Form clouds above head. 3. Fingers rain down. Put hand to mouth. |
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The sunbeams on the water danced And coaxed some drops to rise, With them up thro' the air, to make A visit to the skies. Then far and far above the earth In clouds of white and grey, Across the sky the water drops Went wand'ring in their play. The wondrous visit at an end, They hurried down again; And as they came the children all Cried out, "Oh! see the rain!" |
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Hide hands behind the back and
bring them out with thumbs upright.
Wiggle thumbs to the music and bow on the last line. Bring
out fingers in sequence for the subsequent verses; fore fingers, middle
fingers, ring fingers and little fingers and make them move too.
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Learn to identify and move each
finger. Make
the thumb move as directed. On the last line tuck the thumb into the fist. Do
the same with each of the other fingers. |
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Tommy Thumb is up and Tommy Thumb is down, Tommy Thumb dancing all around the town. Dancing on my shoulders, dancing on my head, Dancing on my knees and then tucked up in bed! Peter Pointer’s… Toby Tall… Ruby Ring… Baby Small… (quietly) (loudly) Finger Family’s up and Finger Family’s down, Finger Family’s dancing all around the town. Dancing on my shoulders, dancing on my head, Dancing on my knees and then tucked up in bed! |
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Tortoise the brave 🔊
This song is based on the Russian hand play,
Черепаха (The Tortoise). Шла
по полю
черепаха И
дрожала вся
от страха: "Кусь-кусь-кусь,
Кусь-кусь-кусь,
Ничего
я не боюсь!" Translation, in the spirit of the original, and
music both by Dany Rosevear. 1. Make tortoise walk slowly with
forefinger and middle finger on your thigh. 2. Mimic trembling with both hands.
3. Put hand to ear. 4. Make mouth talk with both hands. 5.
Point to self and shake finger. |
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Tortoise walked in the field, what a sight, Shaking and trembling with awful fright; But listen, oh, just listen, to her sing, “Na-na-na-na-na! I’m not afraid of any old thing! I’m not afraid of any old thing!” |
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Have
fun singing each voice in character. In
the first verse bend thumbs each time ‘bowed’ and ‘How do you do?’ is sung. Bend
fingers in sequence for the subsequent verses; fore finger, middle finger,
ring finger and little finger.
Two fat gentlemen
met in a lane, Bowed most politely
then bowed once again. How do you do? How do you do? And how do you do
again! Two thin ladies met
in a lane... Two tall policemen
met in a lane... Two school children
met in a lane... Two little babies
met in a lane... |
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Two little blackbirds sitting in the snow 🔊
A
seasonal alternative to the classic nursery rhyme and an opportunity to
encourage an understanding of opposites. Encourage children to make up more
rhyming verses. Stick a little blackbird on each forefinger.
1. Move fingers fast or slow each time emphasising opposite pairs by motion.
2. Make voice appropriately quiet or loud. 3. Move fingers high or low each
time it is mentioned. |
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Two little blackbirds, sitting in the snow, One named Fast and the other named Slow. Fly away Fast and fly away Slow, Come back Fast and come back Slow. Two little blackbirds, sitting on a cloud, One named Quiet and the other named LOUD! Fly away Quiet and fly away LOUD! Come back Quiet and come back LOUD! Two little blackbirds flying in the sky, One named Low and the other named High. Fly away Low and fly away High, Come back Low and come back High! |
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Two
little blackbirds sitting in the sun 🔊
This can be chanted as a rhyme or
sung to the little tune I wrote. It is a classic from ‘This little Puffin’ Use
forefingers for the birds and folded arms for the wall. |
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Two little blackbirds sitting in the sun, One flew away and then there was one. One little blackbird feeling very small, She flew away and then there was the wall. One little brick wall lonely in the rain, Waiting for the blackbirds to come and sing again. (Here they come, here they come!) |
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Two little dickie birds 🔊
This
rhyme is mostly heard as a chant but there are also many tunes written for
it. I think the one below is the one I have used in the past. You
could easily make up your own verses using different names. Find
out more about these two rhymes at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Little_Dickie_Birds It has a Roud
number of 16401. Mark
the index nail of one hand and the middle finger of the second. If you are
feeling creative stick a little bird picture on the nails! Hold
your fists up and wiggle marked fingers to show the birds. On the 5th
line throw one hand past head and put the marked finger down replacing it
with the one next to it and then bring the hand back. Do the same with the
other hand. On the last two lines swap the unmarked finger for the marked on.
It
is a wonderful way to puzzle children.
Two little dickie birds, Sitting on a wall; One named Peter, And one named Paul. Fly away Peter, Fly away Paul! Come back Peter, And come back Paul
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This
song is usually chanted but the tune below seems to go well with the words. Move as the words suggest.
Two little feet go tap,
tap, tap, Two little hands go clap,
clap, clap, A quick little leap up
from my chair, Two little hands reach
high in the air. Two little fists go bump,
bump, bump, Two little feet go jump,
jump, jump, One little body turns
round and round, And one little child sits
quietly down. |
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Two little houses
A simple hand play
for the very youngest. Raise both hands. Close fists. Open fists. Put hands side by side with fingers radiating out. Ten fingers stand tall. Walk with fingers. |
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Two little houses, Closed up tight. Let’s open the windows, And let in some light. The bright sun is shining, what a delight! Ten little people stand tall and straight. Ready for school at half past eight. |
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Two mother pigs 🔊
A piggy number hand
play. Dany Rosevear added
the tune. 1. Show thumb. 2. Show fingers and thumbs, put together. 3. Hold up one hand with four fingers up. 4.
Hold up other hand with four fingers
up. 5-6. Roll hands over each
other. 7. Make fists, put
together. 8. Turn fists over
with palms up then put hands to cheek and snore. |
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Two mother pigs lived in a pen, Each had four babies, and that made ten. These four babies were as happy as could be, These four babies went “Wheee, whee, whee!” And all eight babies loved to play, And they rolled and they rolled in the mud all day. At night with their mothers, they curled up in a heap, And squealed and squealed till they went to sleep. |
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An action song. My class would chant this one
while waiting to dip their wicks in hot wax to make candles. Have a go – it
is great fun to see the candle grow with each dip! 1. Make arm into a candlestick. 2.
Run two fingers up the arm. 3. Sit mouse on the candlestick and shake head.
4. Cup hands to mouth and shout. 5. Curl fists and roll them downwards.
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Up to the ceiling, down to the floor 🔊
Learn the difference between right
and left hands. 1. Raise both hands up, then put them down.2.
Point left with the left hand, then right with the right hand. 3. Raise right
hand, then raise left hand, keeping the right hand up. 4. Twirl both hands
round. 5. Hit fists on top of the other. |
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Up to the ceiling, Down to the floor, Left to the window, Right to the door. This is my right hand, Raise it up high, This is my left hand, Reach for the sky. Right hand, left hand, Twirl them both around. Left hand, right hand, Pound, pound, pound. |
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Wiggle them, wiggle them midi
Hand gymnastics for youngsters. Use
this finger play to release wiggles and calm children. Chant as a rhyme or sing to the
melody by Dany Rosevear The words suggest what you need to do. For fun do the same movements with the feet, sitting down of course! |
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Wiggle them, wiggle them, Wiggle them so; Wiggle them up high, And wiggle them low. Wiggle to the left And wiggle to the right. Wiggle them, wiggle them, Out of sight! Shake them… Squeeze them … Wave them… |
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