Australian collection

Little Tommy Tadpole

Look at the terrible crocodile

Maranoa lullaby

One snail, two snails

Platypus, echidna

Said the kind kangaroo

If you cannot see the music below try this PDF link:

http://singinggamesforchildren.com/A%20Cluster%202.2%20Awaywego/16%20Australian%20collection.pdf

Last updated: 2/25/2016 3:57 PM

The songs below are part of ‘Away we go’ Round and about compiled, adapted and illustrated by Dany Rosevear

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To watch the author sing a song click on the title at:

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Little Tommy Tadpole O

More properly titled as ‘Growing up’ this rhyme is by C. J. Dennis http://www.poemhunter.com/clarence-michael-james-stanislaus-dennis/biography/ an Australian poet and author who published it in ‘A Book for Kids’ in 1921. The music is by Jackson / Clayton from the Playmates songbook.

Little Tommy Tadpole began to weep and wail,

For little Tommy Tadpole had lost his little tail;

His mother didn't know him as he wept upon a log,

For he wasn't Tommy Tadpole, but Mr. Thomas Frog!

Look at the terrible crocodile O

A game played in pairs.

One child opens and closes the palms of their hands as the second child places one hand on top of the other and sticks thumbs out to swim like a fish. On the third line the ‘crocodile’ opens jaws wide – arms open and close. The ‘fishy’ inches nearer but on the last line swims away.

Look at the terrible crocodile,

I-oh, I-oh, I-oh.

He’s swimming down the river Nile,

I-oh, I-oh, I-oh.

See how his jaws are open wide,

I-oh, I-oh, I-oh.

A poor little fishy is swimming inside…….

Spoken

Oh no he isn’t, he’s swimming the other way!

Sung

I-oh, I-oh, I-oh.

Maranoa lullaby O

This is an aboriginal lullaby from Southwest Queensland.

The words are by M. Lyell from Singing Together, Spring 1972, BBC Publications

Day now folds its wings,

Sleep while mother sings,

Dark the night and deep,

Time for you to sleep.

Mamma waruno, Murra wathuno,

Mamma waruno, Murra wathuno.

Soft the breezes blow,

Rock you to and fro,

While the stars above

Shine on you with love.

Mamma waruno…

Gently close your eyes,

Now the moon will rise,

With the morning light,

Stars are put to flight.

Mamma waruno…

Day now folds its wings,

Sleep while mother sings,

Dark the night and deep,

Time for you to sleep.

Mamma waruno…

One snail, two snails O

This Australian rhyme is by Mary Gilmore; Music by Dany Rosevear.

Make fingers move like snails – one on left hand two on the other. Make a kookaburra beak with one hand and grab the other.

One snail, two snails

Had a little talk:

One snail, two snails

Went a little walk.

They came to a garden

And climbed up a tree

Where a jolly old kookaburra

Gobbled up the three.

Platypus, echidna O

Go up the musical scale using Australian animal names. Make up more verses - there are so many native creatures you can choose.

Words by Norma Tovey.

If you would like a more challenging song for older children see An Australian Animal Alphabet above.

Platypus, echidna, bandicoot and bat,

Wallaby and eagle, dingo, native cat.

Lyrebird and lizard, mouse and budgerigar,

Emu, seal and penguin, goanna and galah.

Said the kind kangaroo O

An anonymous rhyme I found in ‘Merrily, merrily’ from the Nursing mother’s association of Australia.

I couldn’t resist adding more verses. Just sing the traditional verse with actions if you like! Last three verses by Dany Rosevear.

You could rock a baby back and forth to this lovely tune or use as a finger play (see below); alternatively bounce around the room with big hops.

Said the kind kangaroo, "Oh, what shall I do?

(Shrug shoulders and throw out hands)

If I had a cradle, I'd rock it.

(Cup hands and rock them)

But my baby is small, so I think after all,

I'll carry her round in my pocket!"

(Cup hand on tummy and put the other inside)

Said the kind kangaroo, "Oh, what shall I do?

There isn’t much room in my pocket.

Now my baby is big and is dancing a jig,

Tell me what can I do that will stop it!"

Said the wise potoroo to the kind kangaroo,

"It is time for your baby to hop it.

For she needs to get out, of that there’s no doubt;

Just watch her go off like a rocket!"

Said the kind kangaroo, "Oh, what shall I do?

I have an unoccupied pocket,

For my baby has flown and left me alone;

I shall have to move on or restock it!”

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