Summer songs

Apusski dusky

Bees! Zum! Zum!

Five little seashells

Give me a bucket and spade

Have you ever been a-fishing

Here is a seashell

Here is the sea

How does a caterpillar go?

I’m forever blowing bubbles

My big blue boat

Nine little tailors

Oh, Mister Sun

Oh, oh, the sunshine

Paint-box / Cauliflowers fluffy

Picnic tea

The cuckoo is a pretty bird

The sun has got his hat on

The teddy bears’ picnic

The water fairies

There I was just a-swimming in the sea

There’s a tiny caterpillar

There was a little turtle

Tommy and the apples

We have planted in our garden

We sail and we sail and we stop!

 

Also see:

Down in the grass, curled up in a heap

Going down to Devon

My shadow

Over in the meadow

Rock gently sailboat

Scraping up sand (Shiloh)

She sailed away on a lovely summer’s day

Last updated: 5/27/2017 11:53 AM

The songs below are part ofAway we gocompiled, adapted and illustrated 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 2008 All rights reserved

You are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the following conditions:

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Your fair use and other rights are no way affected by the above.


 

Apusski dusky O

 

 


A traditional song, so it is said, but I cannot find out where this song originated. I found this calming gentle song from a sheet cut out of a schools song pamphlet but am unsure which one – it was p.18!

Hooray, I have recently been informed this is a Swedish children’s song ‘ I medelhavet’ words below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


In middle ocean, sardines are swimming,

Apusski dusky, apusskidu.

A boat sails over, down comes a net.

Apusski dusky, apusskidu.

 

One wise old sardine flicks out a warning,

Apusski dusky, apusskidu.

Swift through the water they dart away.

Apusski dusky, apusskidu.

 

With tails a-flashing, sardines are swimming,

Apusski dusky, apusskidu.

So full of joy that they’re swimming free.

Apusski dusky, apusskidu.

 

Swedish version:

I medelhavet sardiner simmar apu, apu, apu, apu,

Men i mitt hjärta där simmar du apu, apu, apu, apu.

In middle Ocean sardines are swimming, apu, apu, apu, apu,

But my heart is swimming to you, apu, apu, apu, apu.

 

In MittelMehre Sardinen schwimmen, apu, apu, apu, apu,

Aber in mein Herz da schwimmst ja du, apu, apu, apu, apu.

I medelhavski sardinski simmski, apusskidusski, apusskidu,

Men i mitt hjärtski där simmski dusski, apusskidusski, apusskidu.

 

I Norska havet små torskar svömme, apu, apu, apu, apu,

Men i min blopump, där plasker du, apu, apu, apu, apu.

 


 

Bees! Zum! Zum! O

 

A song from ‘Infant Joy’ by Desmond MacMahon published in 1954.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Bees! Zum! Zum! What a merry hum.

There’s no reason for alarm,

For we won’t do you any harm!

Bees! Zum! Zum! What a merry hum.

 

Bees! Zum! Zum! What a merry hum.

Working all the sunny hours,

Sipping nectar from the flowers,

Bees! Zum! Zum! What a merry hum.


 

 

Five little seashells O

 

 


Find a conch shell and listen to the sea calling.

The ending of this traditional rhyme has been adapted by Dany Rosevear who also set it to music.

 

Use shells in the sand tray / pit and the hand as the waves to remove them; Alternatively use as a simple finger play; hold up five fingers and bend one down for each verse moving hand like a big wave to cover each finger in turn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Five little seashells lying on the shore.

Swish! went a big wave and then there were four.

 

Four little seashells, pretty as can be.

Swish! went a big wave and then there were three.

 

Three little seashells, all pearly new.

Swish! went a big wave and then there were two.

 

Two little seashells, lying in the sun.

Swish! went a big wave and then there was one.

 

One little seashell, lying all alone.

I put in my pocket and took it back home.

 

No little seashells lying on the shore.

But one whispered in my ear, Swish! hear the sea roar.


 

 

Give me a bucket and spade O

 

 


I found this anonymous rhyme on the internet without any accreditation. Please let me know if you have come across the author.

Dany Rosevear wrote the melody and arranged the chords.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Give me a bucket and spade,

Give me a bucket and spade,

I'll build a sandcastle oh so high,

When I stand on top I will touch the sky

And wave to the seagulls flying by,

With my bucket and spade.

Bucket and spade,

Bucket and spade!

 

Give me a bucket and spade,

Give me a bucket and spade,

I'll dig and dig and never drop,

When I reach Australia then I'll stop,

Then like the kangaroo see me hop,

With my bucket and spade.

Bucket and spade,

Bucket and spade!

 

Give me a bucket and spade,

Give me a bucket and spade,

I'll stand and stare at the roaring sea,

‘Til the setting sun tells me time for tea,

I'll be back tomorrow please wait for me

And my bucket and spade.

Bucket and spade,

Bucket and spade!


 

 

 

Have you ever been a-fishing O

 

A great community song that can be sung with or without actions.

 

As an action rhyme:

1.  Pretend to fish 2. Make sun with arms 3. Hands move like fish 4. Slap pockets / slap hips 5. Make a wriggly dance 6. Clap to Tra la las 7. As before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Have you ever been a-fishing on a hot summer’s day,

And seen all the little fishies swimming up and down the bay,

With their hands in their pockets and their pockets in their pants,

And all the little fishies doin’ the hootchie kootchie dance.

 

CHORUS:

Tra-la-la-la-la, tra-la-la-la.

Tra-la-la-la-la, tra-la-la-la.

With their hands in their pockets and their pockets in their pants,

All the little fishies doin’ the hootchie kootchie dance.

 

Have you ever been a-fishing on a cold and rainy day,

And seen all the little fishies with umbrellas in the bay,

With their hands in their pockets and their pockets in their pants,

And all the little fishies doin’ the hootchie kootchie dance.

Tra, la, la, la, la….

 

Have you ever been a-fishing on a cold winter’s day,

And seen all the little fishies frozen solid in the bay

With their hands in their pockets and their pockets in their pants,

And it’s too darn cold to do the hootchie kootchie dance.

Tra, la, la, la, la….

 

Have you ever been a-fishing on a hot and sunny day,

And you’re sitting on a bench and the bench gives way,

And an alligator snapping at the seat of your pants,

And all the little fishies doin’ the hootchie kootchie dance.

Tra, la, la, la, la….

 


 

 

Here is a seashell 🐚

 

 


What makes a seaside holiday special? Add your own special memories to this song. Find a conch shell and listen to the sea calling.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Here is a seashell, Shhhhhh!

Singing a song of the sea;

Of buckets and spades and sandy waves,

Just for me! Just for me.

 

Here is a seashell, Shhhhhh!

Singing a song of the sea;

Of crabs and fishes and salty wishes,

Just for me! Just for me.

 

Here is a seashell, Shhhhhh!

Singing a song of the sea;

Where jellyfish float round pirate boats,

Just for me! Just for me.

 


 

 

 

 

Here is the sea O

 

A gentle calming song for water or seaside themes. This tune is the one from the BBC Playschool programme and the words slightly different from the classic ones from ‘This little Puffin’. You might well just prefer to recite it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Here is the sea, the wavy sea,

Move arm up and down like the sea.

Here is a boat and here is me!

Cup hands and rock. Put up one finger.

And little fishes, way down below,

Place hands together and move downwards.

Wiggle their tails and away they go!

Wiggle fingers and put them behind back.

 


 

 

How does a caterpillar go? O

 

A song by M.C. Dainton.

Mime actions for each of the creatures in this song. The last line will help you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


How does a caterpillar go?

Dear me, does anybody know?

How does a caterpillar go,

On a cabbage leaf the whole day long?

Wriggle, wriggle, wriggle!

 

How does a butterfly go?

Dear me, does anybody know

How does a butterfly go?

From flower to flower the whole day long.

Flip flap, flip flap, flip flap!

 

How does a little froggy go?

Dear me, does anybody know?

How does a little froggy go,

On a lily pad the whole day long?

Hoppity-hop, hoppitty-hop, hoppitty-hop!

 

How does a fluffy duckling go?

Dear me does anybody know?

How does a fluffy duckling go,

A-searching worms the whole day long?

Cheepy-cheep, cheepy-cheep, cheepy-cheep!

 


 

 

I’m forever blowing bubbles 🔊

 

 


This waltz was popular in the Music halls of the 1920s; the music was written by John Kellette and the lyrics by a collective of writers, it was published in 1919; see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27m_Forever_Blowing_Bubbles  for more about this charming song and the verses which are not so suitable for young children.

How exciting it is for young children to blow, catch and watch bubbles, Encourage them to move freely to this song ideally among a forest of bubbles!

 

Alternatively move holding hands with a partner, swaying them from side to side with two ‘turn the blanket over’ - raising hands high and moving under in the middle of the song and at the end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


I'm forever blowing bubbles,

Pretty bubbles in the air.

They fly so high,

Nearly reach the sky,

Then like my dreams they fade and die.

Fortune's always hiding,

I've looked everywhere.

I'm forever blowing bubbles,

Pretty bubbles in the air.


 

 

My big blue boat O

 

A cheerful action song for a seaside trip.

 

1. Row back and forth with a partner (as in ‘Row row row your boat’). 2. Hold hands high to make sails. 3. Holding hands move up and down from a crouched position 4. Holding hands move from side to side. 5. Row as in first verse. 6. Pretend to catch a fish and eat it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


I love to row in my big blue boat,

My big blue boat, my big blue boat.

I love to row in my big blue boat,

Out on the deep blue sea.

 

My big blue boat has two red sails,

Two red sails, two red sails,

My big blue boat has two red sails,

Out on the deep blue sea.

 

My big blue boat goes up and down,

Up and down, up and down,

My big blue boat goes up and down,

Out on the deep blue sea.

 

My big blue boat goes from side to side,

Side to side, side to side,

My big blue boat goes from side to side,

Out on the deep blue sea.

 

So come with me in my big blue boat,

My big blue boat, my big blue boat.

So come with me in my big blue boat,

Out on the deep blue sea.

 

We’ll catch a fish in my big blue boat,

My big blue boat, my big blue boat.

We’ll catch a fish in my big blue boat,

And take it home for tea!

 


 

 

Nine little tailors O

 

 

 


A German folk song (Neunundneunzig Schneider???). Translated text by Helen Henschel and arranged by Herbert Wiseman from ‘A third sixty songs for little children’ published 1960. I have also come across it in a NZ publication for schools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Nine little tailors had a feast,

Upon a summer’s day,

All nine of them, all nine of them,

All ninety-nine and nine of them

Sat on a stalk of hay,

Singing, Hey down, down,

Derry down down down,

A tailor’s life for me! Repeat

 

And when the splendid feast was done,

They all began to sing,

All nine of them, all nine of them,

All ninety-nine and nine of them

They danced round in a ring,

Singing, Hey down, down,

Derry down down down,

They danced round in a ring. Repeat

 

And after that they went to sleep,

Upon their stalk of hay,

All nine of them, all nine of them,

All ninety-nine and nine of them

On that one stalk of hay,

Singing, Hey down, down,

Derry down down down,

On that one stalk of hay. Repeat


 

 

 

Oh, Mister Sun O

 

 


I began this song on a lovely sunny Spring day; by the time I’d finished it was pouring with rain. There’s always hope though!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Oh, Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun, please shine down on me.

Oh, Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun, hiding behind a tree.

These little children are asking you, to please come out so we can play with you.

Oh, Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun, won’t you please shine down on me?

 

Oh, Mistress Moon, Moon, bright and silvery moon, please shine down on me.

Oh, Mistress Moon, Moon, bright and silvery moon, hiding behind a tree.

These little children are asking you, to please come out so we can sleep for you.

Oh, Mistress Moon, Moon, bright and silvery moon, won’t you please shine down on me?

 

Oh, little stars, stars, little twinkling stars, please shine down on me.

Oh, little stars, stars, little twinkling stars, hiding behind a tree.

These little children are asking you, to please come out so they can wish on you.

Oh, little stars, stars, little twinkling stars, won’t you please shine down on,

Please shine down on, please shine down on me?

 


 

 

Oh, oh, the sunshine O

 

 


A song from Texas from ‘American songs for children’ 1948 by Ruth Crawford Seeger.

This song covers clothing weather and colour topics!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Oh, oh, the sunshine,

Oh, oh, the sunshine,

Oh, oh, the sunshine,

Sally's got a red dress, buttoned behind,

Sally's got a red dress, buttoned behind.

 

Oh, oh, you can’t shine,

Oh, oh, you can’t shine,

Oh, oh, you can’t shine,

Ethan has green wellies on, ready for rain,

Ethan has green wellies on, ready for rain.

 

Nancy has blue jeans, buttoned in front…

Isaac has black shoes with Velcro on top…

 


 

Paint-box / Cauliflowers fluffy O

 

A song for harvest time by V.P. Mitchell and H.C. Mitchell. Sometimes called ‘Cauliflowers fluffy’ and popular in school assemblies.

It was a favourite of my infant classes after a summer outing to sing on the coach journey back home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Cauliflowers fluffy and cabbages green,

Strawberries sweeter than any I’ve seen.

Beetroot purple and onions white:

All grow steadily day and night.

Chorus

The apples are ripe, the plums are red,

Broad beans are sleeping in a blankety bed.

 

Blackberries juicy and rhubarb sour,

Marrows fattening hour by hour,

Gooseberries hairy and lettuces fat,

Radishes round and runner beans flat.

Chorus

 

Orangey carrots and turnips cream,

Reddening tomatoes that used to be green.

Brown potatoes in little heaps,

Down in the darkness where the celery sleeps.

Chorus

 


 

 

Picnic tea O

 

 


A minibeast poem for summer by David Harmer.

Find his website at: http://davidharmer.com/poetry-days-in-schools/some-poems/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


We found a shady spot under a tree.

Here’s what we had for a picnic tea;

We had ants in the sandwiches,

Wasps in the jam,

Slugs in the lettuce leaves,

Beetles in the ham,

Midges in the orange juice,

Flies on the cheese,

Spiders on the sausages,

Ice-cream full off bees!


 

 

The cuckoo is a pretty bird 🔊

 

 


A song from The Baring-Gould and Cecil Sharp collection ‘English folk songs for schools’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The cuckoo is a pretty bird, she singeth as she flies,

She bringeth us good tidings, she telleth us no lies,

She sips the sweet flowers to keep her voice so clear,

And every time she singeth, “Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!”

The summer draweth near.

 

The cuckoo is a giddy bird, no other is as she,

That flits across the meadow, and sings from every tree.

A nest she never buildeth, a vagrant she doth roam;

Her music it is tearful, “Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

I nowhere have a home.”

 

The cuckoo is a witty bird, arriving with the spring.

When summer suns are waning, she spreadeth wide her wings.

She flees approaching winter, she shuns the rain and snow.

Like her I would be singing, “Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!”

And off with her I'd go!

 


 

 

The sun has got his hat on 🔊

 

 


A song Noel Gay and Ralph Butler originally recorded in 1932.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The sun has got his hat on, Hip, hip, hip, hooray!

The sun has got his hat on And he's coming out today.

Now we'll all be happy, Hip-hip-hip-hooray!

The sun has got his hat on and he's coming out today.

 

He's been shining all day long, Out in Timbuktu.

Now he's coming back To do the same for you

So jump into your sunbath, Hip-hip-hip-hooray!

The sun has got his hat on and he's coming out today.

 

All the little birds are singing,

All the little gnats are stinging,

All the little bees in twos and threes

Buzzing in the sun all day.

 

The sun has got his hat on, Hip-hip-hip-hooray!...

 

All the little boys excited,

All the little girls delighted;

What a lot of fun for everyone

Sitting in the sun all day.

 

So jump into your sunbath, Hip-hip-hip-hooray!

The sun has got his hat on and he's coming out today.

 


 

 

The water fairies O

 

 


This song was written by Frances B. Wood and put to a Gaelic tune (Highland fairy lullaby http://www.singinggamesforchildren.com/A%20Cluster%202.2%20Awaywego/18%20Lullabies%20A-Iw.htm ) for the ‘Second sixty songs for little children’

It can also be found in BBC radio for schools Time and Tune Summer 1954.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


As I lay on the golden sands,

The golden sands, the golden sands,

As I lay on the golden sands,

I saw the water fairies O!

 

The fleecy clouds sailed overhead…

So snowy white and airy O!

 

I watched the bonny seagulls fly…

A-wheeling o’er the water O!

 

The sparkling waves came splashing in…

Each ridden by a fairy O!

 

They danced across the shining sands…

In fairy rings so lightly O!

 

They sang the sweetest fairy tune…

As hushed I lay a-listening O!

 

And singing still they flew away…

Like thistle-down a-floating O!


 

 

The teddy bears’ picnic O

 

 


Summer is a time for eating out of doors and taking your teddies on a picnic is an occasion for fun.

Words by Jimmy Kennedy 1932, music by John W. Bratton 1907. Find out more about this song at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_Bears%27_Picnic and http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=14553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


If you go down to the woods today,

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to the woods today,

You'd better go in disguise;

For every bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

 

Chorus Picnic time for teddy bears;

The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today.

Watch them, catch them unawares,

And see them picnic on their holiday.

See them gaily gad about;

They love to play and shout,

They never have any cares.

At six o'clock their mummies and daddies,

Will take them home to bed,

Because they're tired little teddy bears.

 

Every teddy bear who's been good

Is sure of a treat today.

There's lots of marvellous things to eat

And wonderful games to play.

Beneath the trees where nobody sees,

They'll hide and seek as long as they please,

‘Cause that's the way the teddy bears have their picnic.

 

If you go down to the woods today,

You'd better not go alone.

It's lovely down in the woods today,

But safer to stay at home.

For every bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Chorus

 


 

 

The water fairies O

 

 


This song was written by Frances B. Wood and put to a Gaelic tune (Highland fairy lullaby http://www.singinggamesforchildren.com/A%20Cluster%202.2%20Awaywego/18%20Lullabies%20A-Iw.htm ) for the ‘Second sixty songs for little children’

It can also be found in BBC radio for schools Time and Tune Summer 1954.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


As I lay on the golden sands,

The golden sands, the golden sands,

As I lay on the golden sands,

I saw the water fairies O!

 

The fleecy clouds sailed overhead…

So snowy white and airy O!

 

I watched the bonny seagulls fly…

A-wheeling o’er the water O!

 

The sparkling waves came splashing in…

Each ridden by a fairy O!

 

They danced across the shining sands…

In fairy rings so lightly O!

 

They sang the sweetest fairy tune…

As hushed I lay a-listening O!

 

And singing still they flew away…

Like thistle-down a-floating O!


 

 

There I was just a-swimming in the sea O

 

 


A seaside song.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


There I was just a-swimming in the sea,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

All of the sudden there’s a dolphin next to me,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

She swam fast, (She swam fast,)

She dove deep, (She dove deep,)

She swam fast, dove deep,

Hey this dolphin’s pretty neat!

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee,

Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

 

There I was just a-swimming in the sea,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

All of the sudden there’s a crab next to me,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

He nipped hard, (He nipped hard,)

He dug deep, (He dug deep,)

He nipped hard, dug deep,

Hey this crab is pretty neat!

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee,

Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

 

There I was just a-swimming in the sea,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

All of the sudden there’s a whale next to me

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

She breached hard, (She breached hard,)

She dove deep, (She dove deep,)

She breached hard, she dove deep,

Hey this whale is pretty neat!

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee,

Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

 

There I was just a-swimming in the sea,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

All of the sudden there’s a shark next to me,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

He swam fast, (He swam fast,)

He dove deep, (He dove deep,)

He swam fast, he dove deep,

Hey this shark is pretty neat!

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee,

Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

 

There I was just a-swimming in the sea,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

All of the sudden there’s a seahorse next to me,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

He swam left, (He swam left,)

He swam right, (He swam right,)

He swam left, swam right,

Hey this seahorse is outta sight!

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee,

Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

 

There I was just a-swimming in the sea,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

All of the sudden there’s a mermaid next to me,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee.

She had a tail, (She had a tail,)

And curly hair, (And curly hair,)

She had a tail, and curly hair,

It was hard not to stare,

Singing, do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee,

Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee. X3


 

There’s a tiny caterpillar O

 

Learn about the life cycle of the butterfly. This song is by Sue Nicolls from the book ‘Bobby Shaftoe clap you hands’ to the tune of ‘She’ll be coming round the mountain’.

 

1. Move forefinger like a caterpillar 2. Make hands open and close. 3. Roll hands round each other, 4. Cross thumbs and make hands flap. 5. Do all above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


There’s a tiny caterpillar on a leaf, wiggle wiggle ,

There’s a tiny caterpillar on a leaf, wiggle wiggle,

There’s a tiny caterpillar, tiny caterpillar,

There’s a tiny caterpillar on a leaf, wiggle wiggle.

 

He will eat the leaves around him ‘til he’s full, munch munch,

He will eat the leaves around him ‘‘til he’s full, munch munch,

He will eat the leaves around, eat the leaves around

He will eat the leaves around him ‘til he’s full, munch munch.

 

A cocoon is what he’s spinning for his home, spin spin ,

A cocoon is what he’s spinning for his home, spin spin,

A cocoon is what he’s spinning, cocoon is what he’s spinning,

A cocoon is what he’s spinning for his home, spin spin.

 

Then he’ll be a butterfly and fly away, flap flap

Then he’ll be a butterfly and fly away, flap flap

Then he’ll be a butterfly, be a butterfly,

Then he’ll be a butterfly and fly away, flap flap.

 

So that tiny caterpillar went like this

Wiggle wiggle, munch munch, spin spin, flap flap,

So that tiny caterpillar went like this

Wiggle wiggle, munch munch, spin spin, flap flap,

So that tiny caterpillar, that tiny caterpillar

So that tiny caterpillar went like this

Wiggle wiggle, munch munch, spin spin, flap flap.

munch munch.


 

There was a little turtle O

 

This is a cumulative action song and great fun as the movements get progressively harder to perform. Each time the song is sung.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


There was a little turtle.

He lived in a box.

He swam in the puddles.

He climbed on the rocks.

 

He snapped at the mosquito.

He snapped at the flea.

He snapped at the minnow.

And he snapped at me!

 

He caught the mosquito.

He caught the flea.

He caught the minnow.

But he didn't catch me!

Make hand into a fist with thumb out. Cover turtle with the other hand.

Place one hand on top of the other and make thumbs ‘swim’.

Hands make a climbing motion

 

Snap thumb and finger x3s.

 

 

Snap at self.

 

 

Grab three times.

 

Shake finger from side to side and point to self.

 

 


 

 


Tommy and the apples O

 

 

 


Children ‘scrumping’ for apples used to be a common sight in the countryside in days gone by.

This cheerful song was collected in both Yorkshire and Gloucestershire in the UK but also Quebec in Canada:  http://www.vwml.org/roudnumber/8723# It was recorded by Cyril Tawney on his CD ‘Children’s songs from Devon and Cornwall.

 

The first verse of this song could be used for different movements: skipping, jumping, hopping etc. Children could use their own names, change the season or what was seen on the journey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


As Tommy went walking one fine summer’s day.

Some rosy cheeked apples he saw on his way,

Saw on his way, saw on his way,

Some rosy cheeked apples he saw on his way.

 

Those apples were ripe and so pleasant to see,

They seemed to say, "Tommy, come climb up the tree,

"Climb up the tree, climb up the tree."

They seemed to say, "Tommy, come climb up the tree."

 

So Tommy climbed up; from the bough he did fall,

And down came the apples, poor Tommy and all,

Tommy and all, Tommy and all,

And down came poor Tommy, the apples and all.

 

His face was all scratched and he felt very sore.

He promised he'd never steal apples no more,

Apples no more, apples no more,

He promised he'd never steal apples no more.

 

 

 

We have planted in our garden O

 

There are all sorts of pests ready to consume our carefully tended garden produce. This is a Czech folk song from Children’s Songs from Other Lands by C. K. Offer, W. Paxton & Co Ltd.

This version came from BBC radio’s Music Time Summer 1973. The first verse also appeared in Time and Tune Autumn 1965.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


We have planted in our garden beans and peas and pickling cabbage;

Came our neighbour's greedy chickens and scratched them all up.

Get you home you greedy chicks, or we’ll chase you off with sticks! Shoo! Shoo! Shoo!

 

We have planted in our garden lots of maize and mangel wurzels;

From the churchyard rats of all kinds came and ate them all up.

Get you home you thieving rats, or we’ll buy a dozen cats. Shoo! Shoo! Shoo!

 

 

We sail and we sail and we stop! O

 

A nursery action song for the summer – best played outside.

 

Place hands on hips with elbows pointing out like sails, then move with feet apart from side to side. The other actions: jump, twirl, wiggle, hide (peek-a-boo!) should be self evident!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


We sail and we sail and we stop!

We sail and we sail and we stop!

We sail and we sail and we sail and we sail

And we sail and we sail and we stop!

 

We jump and we jump and we stop!

We jump and we jump and we stop!

We jump and we jump and we jump and we jump

And we jump and we jump and we stop!

 

We twirl…

 

We wiggle…

 

We hide and we hide and we (peek-a-boo!)...

 

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