The waves roll high

Bobbing up and down

Charlie over the ocean

Four in a boat

The alley-alley-O

Wade in the water

Draw a bucket of water

Floating down the river

Scraping up sand (Shiloh)

Last updated: 24/10/2015 15:41

The songs below are part of ‘Hop, skip and away we go!’ The original collection

compiled, adapted and illustrated by Dany Rosevear

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To listen to music from these songs click on O

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.

Bobbing up and down O

The origins of this song have been researched without success though the words ‘bobbing up and down’ can be found in a very different piece of music; hence it is probable I must have developed this simple action song myself for the younger children in the class. Do let me know if there is another version abroad!

It certainly works well for improving children’s confidence in the water as they bob shoulders under the surface and learn to jump buoyantly in the swimming pool.

The game below can be played: individually, with a partner, in a line holding waists or in a circle holding hands - depending on the aptitude of your children. Find out what works best!

Bobbing up and down, Bobbing up and down, Bobbing up and down, in the bright blue sea. x2 I saw --------, -------- saw me, (Add a different child’s name each time) Bobbing up and down, in the bright blue sea. Jumping up and down... Marching up and down...

Bend and straighten knees to bob up and down. As partners become adept they could alternate bending and straightening movements. There will be lots of giggles as they attempt this! Hold hand to eyes to spy child mentioned. Encourage bouncy jumps. Swing arms to march around room with high knees. Ask children for other movement suggestions.

Charlie over the ocean O

Charlie caught a conger eel but any fish will do!

This traditional game can be played in the classroom as below or with a ball in the hall as follows: The children join hands in a circle skipping round ‘Charlie’ who holds a large ball. As they chant ‘But he can’t catch me!’ Charlie throws the ball high in the air, catches it, bounces it and then rolls it towards the feet of the fleeing children. The child hit by the ball becomes the new Charlie.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD4MUyVHzQk

Directions:

‘Charlie’ skips around the circle in the opposite direction to that of the skipping children. On ‘me!’ Charlie taps the nearest child on the shoulder. Both children run round the outside of the circle in opposite directions. The first to fill the vacated place joins the circle while the other becomes the new ‘Charlie’ and the game continues.

Four in a boat O

A gentle circle game from Ohio.

As an alternative to the instructions below, younger children sit on the floor one behind the other rowing back and forth in a group of four. These groups of four then join up to face a second group. Holding hands with the child opposite they move back and forth as in ‘Row, row, row your boat’

Four in a boat and the tide rolls high, Four in a boat and the tide rolls high, Four in a boat and the tide rolls high, Waiting for a partner to come by and by. Choose that partner then dance all day, Choose that partner then dance all day, Choose that partner then dance all day, We don’t care what the old folks say. Eight in a boat and it won’t go round, Eight in a boat and it won’t go round, Eight in a boat and it won’t go round, Bow to the one that you have found.

Four children join hands to make an inner circle within a larger class outer circle. Circles walk in opposite directions. Children from the inner circle choose a partner, cross hands then skip round. Those in the outer circle shake forefinger to words of the last line and shake head. Pairs do a side pull, arms linked and inside feet together, while the outer circle claps. Pairs in middle then bow and the original four join the outer circle. A new inner circle is made by those left and the game continues.

The alley alley-o O

Many of those growing up around Liverpool and Manchester in the last century believed ‘the alley’ referred to the Manchester Ship Canal and the rhyme celebrated the first ship to sail along the canal. However the canal officially opened 21^st May 1894. There is also a record of this song being sung in New Zealand in 1890. It has also been suggested that the ‘alley-o’ refers to the Atlantic Ocean. This song has been popularly sung and played all over the English speaking world and derives from older Thread and Needle games.

Listen to Kate Rusby at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K1Dm4UXLZc and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSW8oKV3O7E&feature=related

Directions:

Children hold hands in a line with the end person placing their hand high against a wall. The leader (the needle) threads the line through that arch so the last person to go under will find their arms now cross their chest. The game continues with the needle threading through subsequent arches until all children have arms crossed. The two end children then join hands to make a circle.

The big ship sails on the alley-alley-o, The alley-alley-o, the alley-alley-o, The big ship sails on the alley-alley-o, On the last day of September. Refrain Alley-alley-o, alley-alley-o, The big ship sails away.... The captain said it would never, never do, Never, never do, never, never do, The captain said it would never, never do, On the last day of September. Refrain The big ship sank to the bottom of the sea etc. Refrain We all dip our heads in the deep blue sea etc. On the last day of September.

Follow instructions above and continue singing the first verse until all arms are crossed and a circle is made. Walk in the circle moving crossed arms up and down in a gentle motion. Still holding hands, bend knees up and down. Bow heads into the centre. Jump high throwing arms into air to shake off all that water!

Draw a bucket of water O

Here is a game that can be played independently in the playground once it is familiar.

This song originated in the days when washing dollies were used to scour the washing and is one of the many British traditional songs that has travelled successfully to the U.S.A.

Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpVy4sE4H0o&feature=related

One pair facing the other holds hands, another pair joins hands across those of the first couple as below.

Draw a bucket of water, For my ladies daughter, One in a tub, Two in a tub, Three in a tub, Four in a tub…, Four little dollies go rub-a-dub-dub, Four little dollies go rub-a dub-dub.

The four children rotate to the left as they chant. First pair lift one set of hands and bring it over the head of child one. Same pair lift hands over child two’s head Second pair repeat sequence. Children wiggle from side to side as they mimic an old fashioned wooden washing dolly scouring clothes in the wash tub

Floating down the river O

This game gives the children two rhythms to experience; swaying and jumping. It is also an opportunity to learn the doubles of numbers to eight.

All that jumping needs stamina, so initially choose an energetic pair to sit opposite each other in the middle of a class circle.

Chorus: We’re floating down the river, We’re floating down below, We’re floating down the river, To the O - hi –o. Two in the middle and you can’t jump Josie, Two in the middle and you can’t jump Josie, Two in the middle and you can’t jump Josie, Oh my Susie Brown. Four in the middle… Eight in the middle… Sixteen in the middle… ----- (number in class) in the middle…	Children in circle sway gently from side to side. The pair in the middle hold hands and move back and forth as in ‘Row your boat’. Children in the circle clap hands and slap knees to the rhythm. The pair in the middle jump up and down.
	End of each verse: choose a new partner from the circle and repeat the sequence as below until the whole class is jumping up and down. Last verse: choose any partner; put three in the boat if necessary.

Scraping up sand (Shiloh) O

A cheerful song from Missouri. Let the children suggest actions made by the words. Encourage vigorous movements. Think about what might be scooping up the sand - dredging machines, whales, JCBs, fingers and more.

Listen at: http://www.amazon.com/Scraping-Up-Sand-Bottom-Sea/dp/B0010VWPB0

Scraping up sand at the bottom of the sea, Shiloh, Shiloh, Scraping up sand at the bottom of the sea, Shiloh, Liza Jane. Chorus Oh, how I love her, Oh, Liza Jane, Oh, how I love her, Goodbye, Liza Jane. Buff those shoes and make them shine, Shiloh, Shiloh, Buff those shoes and make them shine, Shiloh, Liza Jane. A hump-backed mule I’m bound to ride, Shiloh, Shiloh, etc. Up hopped a chicken and he flew upstairs, Shiloh, Shiloh, etc.

Bend down and make big scoops as they move round room. Move round room waving and smiling when passing each other. Move round room picking up shoes and polish with strong sweeping movements. Gallop round room moving hands back and forth. Run around the room with elbows bent and flapping.

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