More action songs D-G

Dandelions yellow

Do, do pity my case

Do your ears hang low?

Down by the banks of the Hanky Panky

Down is the earth

Everybody do this

Everybody gogo / Chamniamo gogo

Everybody knows I love my toes

Fairies’ marching song

Fire down below

Fly, fly, fly

Fly, little birdie, fly

Fooba Wooba John

Four white horses

From little acorns

Gilly gilly gilly good morning

Going on a tree hunt

Good morning dear Earth

Grab that spider tiger

Great big bouncing ball

Great big dinosaurs

Last updated: 12/6/2021 12:50 PM

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:

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Dandelions yellow 🔊

Provide real dandelions.

I found this rhyme in: ‘Materials for nursery school teachers’ edited by Virginia McCaig,

there is no publishing date. Music and actions by Dany Rosevear.

1. Make dandelions with open hands, place hands over head. 2. As before then nod head.

3. As before. 4. As before, blow, wiggle fingers and float them away.

Dandelions yellow, hiding in the grass.

Dandelions pretty, nodding as I pass.

Dandelions silver, dandelions grey,

Dandelions pretty, I'll blow your hair away!

Do, do, pity my case 🔊

This dramatic play was found in Ladybird Book’s ‘Action Rhymes’ published in 1976. One of the earlier African-American sources was from Louisiana and published in ‘Games and Songs of American Children’ 1883.

Ask children to suggest new tasks. The song could also be used to encourage solo sing; throw a ball at a child who sings a task and then passes to another child to do the same. If the song feels a little old-fashioned sing’ So much work to do’ instead of ‘In some lady’s garden’.

Walk round in a circle for first two lines then act out each task as it is sung.

Do, do, pity my case

In some lady's garden;

My clothes to wash when I get home,

In some lady's garden.

Do, do, pity my case,

In some lady's garden;

My clothes to iron when I get home,

In some lady's garden.

Do, do, pity my case,

In some lady's garden;

My floors to scrub when I get home,

In some lady's garden.

Do, do, pity my case,

In some lady's garden;

My bread to bake when I get home,

In some lady's garden.

Do your ears hang low?O

Have fun with this action rhyme. First time sing with a normal voice and move as below. Second time stand and sing with a loud voice making big movements. Last time crouch down and while singing with a very quiet voice make teeny tiny movements.

Do your ears hang low?

Do they wobble to and fro?

Can you tie them in a knot?

Can you tie them in a bow?

Can you toss them over your shoulder like a regimental soldier?

Do your ears hang low?

Twirl hands downwards.

Swing arms from side to side.

Mime tying a knot and then a bow.

Throw hands over shoulder.

Salute

Move as before

Down by the banks of the Hanky Panky O

There are very many versions of this rhyme mostly rooted in the African American tradition see: http://www.cocojams.com/content/handclap-jump-rope-and-elastics-rhymes for more background information.

This playground rhyme is mainly familiar in hand clap routines but is also a skipping, ball bouncing activity. Watch one of the clapping games at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zoMAvwKGfk

For young children just clap from side to side with a steady rhythm or jump like frogs from side to side with a big leap and fall to finish.

Down by the banks of the Hanky Panky,

A bull frog jumped from bank to banky,

With a hip, hop and a flippity flippity flop,

Missed the banky and he went KERPLOP!

Down is the Earth 🔊

A meeting and greeting circle song.

Develop an awareness that we are all part of something big but need and welcome the company of our friends.

Musicbny Dany Rosevear.

1. Touch ground. 2. Raise hands to sky. 3. Gesture outward. 4. Hands crossed over chest.

5. Point to eyes then ears 6. Run on the spot. 7. Show hands, then hold those in the circle.

8. Raise hands high.

Down is the Earth,

Up is the Sky,

Here are my friends

And here stands I.

Two eyes to see, two ears to hear,

Two feet to walk and run!

Here are my hands, give yours to mine,

Good morning everyone!

Everybody do this O

Make up funny actions for others to imitate in this very easy game. A song by Mary Miller to the tune ‘Hey, Betty Martin’.

Make a circle; one child makes a funny action which those in the circle copy.

Everybody do this,

Do this, do this,

Everybody do this,

Just like me.

Everybody do this,

Do this, do this,

Everybody do this,

Just like me.

Everybody gogo / Chamniamo gogo 🔊

A funny call and response song from Kenya.

If you wish to make it closer to the Kenyan original song sing ‘Chamniamo gogo’ meaning ‘Let’s go walking’

Follow instructions.

Solo: Turn out your feet,

Chorus: Everybody go-go!

Solo: Then round like me,

Chorus: Everybody gogo!

Solo: Then bend your knees and walk down low,

Chorus: Everybody go-go!

Solo: And wave your hands and look like so,

Chorus: Everybody go-go!

Walk on your toes,

Everybody go-go!

And wrinkle your nose,

Everybody go-go!

And hop around without a frown,

Everybody go-go!

And wave your elbows up and down,

Everybody go-go!

Walk backwards now,

Everybody go-go!

Then take a bow,

Everybody go-go!

Then wave your arms up in the sky,

Everybody go-go!

And hop away and wave goodbye,

Everybody go-go!

Everybody knows that I love my toes 🔊

A lively

A lively song for toddler play and learning parts of the body.

Written by Barbara Allyn © SOCAN.

Touch each part of baby / toddler or young child’s own body part as it is mentioned.

Everybody knows I love my toes,

I love my knees, my elbows, my shoulders, and my nose,

But everybody knows I love my toes.

Everybody knows I love my hips,

I love my knees, my elbows, my shoulders, and my lips,

But everybody knows I love my hips.

Everybody knows I love my shins,

I love my knees, my elbows, my shoulders, and my chin,

But everybody knows I love my shins.

Everybody knows I love my thighs,

I love my knees, my elbows, my shoulders and my eyes,

But everybody knows I love my thighs.

Fairies’ marching song 🔊

A poem by Rose Fyleman from ‘Movement and songs for the littlest ones’ published 1959. It was originally published in ‘Child Education’ Music by Ruth Dyson, arranged by Dany Rosevear.

March around in pairs. Put hands to ears on ‘Ding dong’

One, two, one, two,

March along together,

Wear a daisy in your hat,

And a robin’s feather.

Chorus:

Ding, dong, far away,

Fairy bells are calling,

We shall get to fairy land

When the dew is falling.

One, two, one, two,

All the bees are humming,

All the birds begin to sing

When they see us coming.

Fire down below O

An old sea shanty song used to keep in rhythm when pumping up water on deck.

Make movements to the beat of the music: haul in ropes, pass buckets, tip water onto fire. Escape the fire by rowing to the shore!

Fire in the galley, fire down below;

It's fetch a bucket of water boys,

There's fire down below.

Chorus

Fire, fire, fire down below,

Fetch a bucket of water boys,

There's fire down below.

Fire in the fore-top, fire in the main;

It's fetch a bucket of water girls,

And put it out again.

Fire round the capstan, fire up the mast,

Fire on the main deck, burning fast.

Fly, fly, fly 🔊

A lovely song about flight for movements of birds and other animals with wings. Make up verses of other flying creatures.

Move around the room flying in different ways and then move or stop in an appropriate manner.

Fly, fly, fly, Flap your wings and fly,

See how the eagle goes, Soaring through the sky.

Fly, fly, fly,Flap your wings and fly,

See how the owl goes, Swooping to the ground.

Fly, fly, fly, Flap your wings and fly,

See how butterfly goes, Dancng through the sky.

Fly, fly, fly, Flap your wings and fly,

See how robin goes, Hopping down the path.

Fly, fly, fly, Flap your wings and fly,

See how flamino goes, Standing on one leg.

Bzzzz, bzzzz, bzzzz, Flap your wings and fly,

See how bumble bee goes, Sitting on a flower.

Oh, so quiet!

Fly, little birdie, fly O

Originally translated from a Chinese song by Paul Knight it was written with teaching English to young children in mind. Find out more at: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=861062883975646&story_fbid=865587596856508

I have expanded on the theme for a wider young audience and to draw children together towards the end of the song after moving round the room individually.

Encourage children to think of other animals and how they might move to make new verses.

Move around the room flying, running and jumping. On the last verse come together in a circle and skip round.

Fly little birdie, fly,

Fly up in the sky,

La la la la la la, La la la la la la,

Spread your wings and fly!

Run little puppy, run,

Play out in the sun,

La la la la la la, La la la la la la,

Run and run for fun!

Jump, little froggie, jump,

Jump up and down,

La la la la la la, La la la la la la,

Jumping off to town!

Sing, little children, sing,

Dance, play and sing,

La la la la la la, La la la la la la,

All around the ring!

Fooba Wooba John O

This is a traditional American song made popular by Burl Ives in particular. Mike Seeger also made a great version ‘Old blind drunk John’ using a jaw harp.

Make up new rhymes for this song – it could go on ad infinitum.

This song can just be sung for its silliness but BethNotes at http://bethsmusicnotes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/fooba-wooba-lesson-view-more-documents.html suggests making hand motions to accompany the words.

My tune and words are slightly different though.

Saw a flea kick a tree,

Fooba Wooba, Fooba Wooba,

Saw a flea kick a tree,

Fooba Wooba John.

Saw a flea kick a tree

In the middle of the sea,

Hey John, ho John,

Fooba Wooba John.

Saw a snail chase a whale,

Fooba Wooba, Fooba Wooba,

Saw a snail chase a whale,

Fooba Wooba John.

Saw a snail chase a whale,

All around the water pail,

Hey John, ho John,

Fooba Wooba John.

Saw a frog chase a dog,

Fooba Wooba, Fooba Wooba,

Saw a frog chase a dog,

Fooba Wooba John.

Saw a frog chase a dog,

In and out a hollow log,

Hey John, ho John,

Fooba Wooba John.

Heard a cow say meow,

Fooba Wooba, Fooba Wooba,

Heard a cow say meow,

Fooba Wooba John.

Heard a cow say meow,

Then I heard her say bow wow,

Hey John, ho John,

Fooba Wooba John.

Hey John, ho John,

Fooba Wooba John.

Four white horses O

This is an old Caribbean folk song played in Barbados and the Virgin Islands.

Find more info and versions at: http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=9634

Four children stand facing each other - two across from two. Each child has partner opposite and a neighbour to the side. Keeping a steady beat, the motions go like this:

Clap twice, pat partner's hands, clap twice, pat neighbour’s hands.

Four white horses, on the river,

Hey, hey, hey, up tomorrow,

Up tomorrow is a rainy day,

Come on up to the shallow bay.

Shallow bay is a ripe banana,

Up tomorrow is a rainy day.

From little acorns 🔊

A woodland action / circle activity.

‘Mighty oaks from little acorns grow’ is a 14th Century old English proverb which often makes us think of the potential there is in the life of every child to become something special and to be there for our common good.

Words and music by Dany Rosevear

Verse 1. Children sit kneeling in a circle, with palms together and pointing down bend to the ground. Turn palms upwards and slowly move up to standing. 2. Make leaf with thumb and finger on one hand then the other, stretch out fingers downwards, slide hands down trunk. 3. Move in breeze and stretch out branches. Make a gathering motion with hands. 4. Make hand movements for each of the creatures. Cross hands on chest. Hold hands and move round in a circle.

The oak in the acorn, whispers, whispers,

Whispers oh so soft,

“I root, I sprout, my stem grows stout

And slowly grows aloft, aloft.

And slowly grows aloft.”

Sweet spring then the summer, autumn and winter,

Seasons come and go

One leaf, two leaves then hundreds cluster,

From the sturdy trunk, below, below,

The sturdy trunk, below,

The leaves of the oak tree, rustle, rustle,

Rustle in the breeze,

And mighty branches spread out wide,

To welcome all in need, in need,

To welcome all in need.

There’s shelter for squirrels, birds and bees,

A haven of peace and shade,

Come gather together, rejoice and dance,

Round the oak in our woodland glade, glade, glade,

Round the oak in our woodland glade.

But hey, little squirrel has picked up an acorn

And buried it far away.

In winter deep it softly sleeps

‘Til one bright Springtime day, day, day,

‘Til one bright Springtime day.

Gilly gilly gilly good morning 🔊

A cheerful meet and greet clapping and slapping song. Once children are confident with the basic game below they can then slap knees and clap hands in turn. Then find a partner and slap knees and clap partner’s hands. Older children could make up there own clapping, slapping, snapping finger patterns with a partner.

1. Walk around the room looking and waving at others when passing by. 2. Pat knees in time to the minnie macs.

Gilly gilly gilly good morning,

Good morning, good morning!

Gilly gilly gilly good morning,

Good morning to you!

Minnie mac, minnie mac, minnie minnie minnie mac,

Minnie mac, minnie mac, minnie mo-o!

Minnie mac, minnie mac, minnie minnie minnie mac,

Minnie mac, minnie mac, minnie mo-o!

Going on a tree hunt 🔊

An 'I-Spy' action rhyme; encourage children to be observant.

As the leaves fall off the trees it is easier to see the shape of a tree; each one has its own distinctive shape. See how many matches you can make to the shapes below.

A song by Leigh Wigglesworth from ‘Merrily, Merrily’ The Nursing mother’s association of Australia’ published 1979.

Dramatise suggested actions with hands, arms and whole body.

Going on a tree hunt, a tree hunt, a tree hunt.

Going on a tree hunt to find one straight and tall.

When I find a weeping one, a weeping one, a weeping one,

When I find a weeping one I’ll bend down low.

When I find a twisty one, a twisty one, a twisty one,

When I find a twisty one I’ll twist to and fro..

When I find a spreading one, a spreading one, a spreading one,

When I find a spreading one, I’ll stretch just so.

When I find a high one, a high one, a high one,

Then I’ll know it’s my one and grow and grow and grow!

Good morning dear Earth 🔊

A greeting song to help children understand how we are all interconnected and part of a wider entity. Make up verses to include parts of the natural world around your own setting.

1. Touch ground. 2. Make circle above head with arms. 3. Place one hand curled on the other. 4. Open hands round face. 5. Cross forefingers and fly. 6. Cross hands at wrists and fly. 7. Open arms out then cross arms to chest.

Good morning dear Earth,

Good morning dear Sun,

Good morning, dear stones

And the flowers every one.

Good morning, dear bees,

And the birds in the trees,

Good morning to you

And good morning to me!

Grab that spider, tiger 🔊

I wrote this one for a young child who was having difficulties with the ‘g’ and ‘c’ speech sounds. It could be chanted for a child that finds singing difficult.

1. Look fierce and make claws move. 2. Prowl. 3. Shake forefinger put to mouth, wipe away a tear. 4. Prowl, hand makes a spider. 5. Place hands on hips and give a big growl.

“Grrr, grrr, grrr, grrr, grab that spider!”

Growls the great big prowling tiger,

“Please don’t giggle and please don’t cry,

If you see me going by,

In your garden chasing spiders,

For I’d be a grumpy tiger, Grrr!”

Great big bouncing ball 🔊

An energetic action game.

Christmas is coming, time for toys. One of the oldest, most loved and enduring toys is the bouncy ball, it keeps you moving on your own or with a friend. This can be played with a ball and bean bag or, the first verse, as a bouncing activity.

Music and adapted words by Dany Rosevear.

I have a great big bouncing ball,

It can bounce so high;

Watch it bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce,

Right up to the sky!

Up, down, on the ground,

Bouncing all around!

Here is a bean bag, soft and red,

Hold it in your hands,

Throw it up, up, up,up,

Catch it if you can!

Watch us throw, to and fro,

We’ll catch it if we can!

Great big dinosaurs 🔊

And a very small one.

Plenty of adjectives and verbs in this song.

My eldest son, as a very young child, like many children loved dinosaurs and soon learnt many of their names.

Younger children should cope easily with the first verse but older ones may well be interested in the characteristics and movements of the specific dinosaurs.