More
action songs D-G
Dandelions
yellow
Dinosaur,
dinosaur shake the ground
Do,
do pity my case
Do
your ears hang low?
Down
by the banks of the Hanky Panky
Down
is the earth
Down
to town
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
Going
to town
Good morning
dear Earth
Grab
that spider tiger
Great
big bouncing ball
Great
big dinosaurs
Last updated: 7/28/2023
10:36 AM
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:
© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved
You
are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the
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you must give the original author credit
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Your
fair use and other rights are no way affected by the above.
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! |
Dinosaur,
dinosaur shake the ground 🔊 Dinosaur’s bedtime, and action
rhyme. Each verse can be sung as a
standalone for younger children. Make decisions, which dinosaur will
you be? Rhyme adapted by Dany Rosevear. Verse 1. Stamp on ground. Mime words then put fingers to lips, wave
arm and sit. 2. Mime your chosen dinosaur and make more movements. 3. Move as suggested. |
Dinosaur, dinosaur, shake the ground. Dinosaur, dinosaur, turn around. Dinosaur, dinosaur, show your claws. Dinosaur, dinosaur, can you roar? ROAR! Dinosaur, dinosaur, without a sound. Swish your tail and then sit down. Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, terrible and tall! Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, scary and small! Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, jump up and down. Dinosaur, dinosaur, touch the ground. Dinosaur, dinosaur, snap your jaws. Give a big yawn then sit on the floor. Slowly Dinosaur, dinosaur, climb the stairs. Dinosaur, dinosaur, hug your bear! Dinosaur, dinosaur, play no more, Dinosaur go to bed, dream and snore. Faster Dinosaur, dinosaur, morning’s come! Jump up now and have some fun! |
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.
|
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. |
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 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, 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, 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, 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, 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 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! Spread your wings and fly! Run little puppy, run, 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! Run and run for fun! Jump, little froggie, jump, Jump, little froggie, jump, Jump up and down, La la la la la la, La la la la la la, Jumping off to town! Jumping off to town! Sing, little children, sing, Sing, little children, sing, Dance, play and sing, La la la la la la, La la la la la la, All around the ring! 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! |
Going to town A funny co-operative
playground game from China for two children. 上去下來/蘿蔔要賣水壺要拿 From ‘Chinese Mother
Goose Rhymes’ translated by Isaac Taylor Headland published 1900. You can see pictures and it written in
Chinese here: The Project
Gutenberg eBook of Chinese Mother Goose Rhymes, by Isaac Taylor Headland. One pair stands back-to-back with arms linked behind them. They take
it in turns to rock back and forth pulling their partner on their back, so
their feet leave the ground. I have no idea if this is possible or indeed dangerous but certainly
supervision and a grassy surface or mats would be a good place to try it out!
1. Two children stand back
to back with their arms hooked. As one bends over the other is pulled from
the ground. They alternate as they chant: ‘Up you go, down you see…’ 2. On the word ‘down’ they
both sit down back to back with arms still interlocked. 3. They then asked and answer
the following questions, ‘What do you see in the heavens bright?’ etc. 4. They then tried to rise,
still with arms linked, which is impossible to do! They then roll over and
get up laughing. |
Up you go, down you see, Here's a turnip for you and
me, Here's a pitcher, we'll go to
town, Oh, what a pity we've fallen
down; What do you see in the
heavens bright? I see the moon and the stars
at night. What do you see in the earth,
pray tell? I see in the earth a deep,
deep well. What do you see in the well,
my dear? I see a frog and its voice I
hear. What is it saying out there
on the rock? Get up, get up, ke'rh kua,
ke'rh kua. |
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. Perhaps three chosen ones! Or add
your own verse. Make movements appropriate to each dinosaur. |
Long, long ago there were
dinosaurs,
Big dinosaurs, great dinosaurs,
Long, long ago there were
dinosaurs,
They stamped and stomped like
this...
They swished their tails like
this...
They showed their claws like
this...
And they roared and roared like
this...ROAR!
Long, long ago there were
dinosaurs,
Long-necked dinosaurs,
long-tailed dinosaurs,
Long, long ago there was
Diplodocus
It lumbered along like this...
And stretched up high like
this...
And waved its tail like this...
Such a great big dinosaur!
ROAR!
Long, long ago there were
dinosaurs
Winged dinosaurs, crested
dinosaurs,
Long, long ago there was Pteranodon,
It soared and sailed like
this...
And swooped at prey like
this...
And scooped up fish like
this...
Such a fine flying dinosaur!
ROAR!
Long, long ago there were
dinosaurs,
Three horned dinosaurs, thick
skinned dinosaurs,
Long, long ago there was
Tricerotops,
It charged along like this…
And shook its horns like this…
And chomped and chewed like
this…
Such a powerful herbivore!
ROAR!
Long, long ago there were
dinosaurs,
Small dinosaurs, beaked
dinosaurs,
Long, long ago there was
Oviraptor
It ran very fast like this...
And showed its tiny claws like
this...
And crushed with its jaws like
this...
A strong little omnivore! ROAR!
Long, long ago there were
dinosaurs,
Big-headed dinosaurs, cruel
dinosaurs,
Long, long ago there was
Tyranosaurus Rex
Its tiny arms went like this...
And it snapped it’s teeth like
this...
And roared and roared and
roared.
Such a huge fierce carnivore!
ROAR!
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