More circle games W-Z w
Uncle John is sick abed
Üsküdar
Up, up, up the beanstalk
Water, water wallflower
Way down yonder in the brickyard
We are dancing in the forest
We are fine musicians
We circle around
We know a giant
We’ll all join in the circle
Who are you? / Good morning little yellow bird
Who will come into our small ring?
Who’s got a fishpole?
Who’s that tapping at my window?
Will you be a friend of mine? / Be my Valentine
Wishy washy wee
Yo ho I pull the anchor
Zinty tinty tuppenny bun
Zum gali gali gali
Last updated: 4/17/2023 10:37 AM
These songs are nursery rhymes and other traditional songs
compiled, illustrated and music arranged by Dany Rosevear.
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‘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 2013 All rights reserved
You are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these
works under the following conditions:
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you must give the original author
credit
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you may not use this work for
commercial purposes
·
for any re-use or distribution, you
must make clear to others the licence terms of this work
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any of these can be waived if you
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Your fair use and other rights are no way affected by the
above.
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Uncle John is sick a-bed 🔊
This schoolyard game is from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book ‘On
the Banks of Plum Creek’. It is sung to the tune of ‘Yankee Doodle’. Find more about this song at: http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/ballads/LIWUJISA.html
. 1. Children
walk in a circle singing. 2. At ‘governor’s daughter’ everyone falls down. 3.
The last one to fall stands apart and whispers to a friend the name of
another child, then returns to the circle and stands in the centre. 4. The
friend announces the name and the players circle again singing the second
verse with names inserted. 5. The ring breaks up and everyone dances clapping
hands. |
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Uncle John is sick a-bed, What shall we send him? A piece of pie, a piece of
cake, A piece of apple dumpling. What shall we send it in? In a piece of paper, Paper is not fine enough, But in a golden saucer. Who shall we send it by? By the governor's daughter, Take her by the lily white
hand, And lead her over the
water. Johnny Brown so they say, Goes a-courting night and
day, With a sword by his side, And takes Miss Sally for his bride. Takes her by the lily
white hand, And leads her over the
water. Here's a kiss and there's
a kiss, For Mr. Jones's daughter. |
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Up, up, up the beanstalk 🔊
Or ‘Mind
your manners Jack’. Look upwards and expand your imaginative horizons. Dramatise
a familiar traditional story in this circle chase game. Words and
music Dany Rosevear. Make a
circle choose ‘Jack’ to stand in the middle and a giant to stride outside the
circle. 1. ‘Jack’ / child’s name plants a bean, watches it grow, ‘climbs up’
and then moves to the outside and tiptoes round ‘til s/h meets the giant.
Smile and shake hands. 2. Giant rubs tummy, the children in the circle stamp
their feet as they chant. 3. ‘Jack’ turns tail followed slowly by the giant.
The circle hold hands and raise them to allow ‘Jack’ refuge and then lowers
them to prevent the giant doing the same. ‘Jack’ in the centre, begins to
climb down waves and shouts goodbye. 4. The circle stamps to ten. Jack finds
an axe and pretends to chop down the beanstalk. |
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Climb up, up, up the beanstalk, To the castle in the sky, Tiptoe, oh so quietly As you go passing by. But if you chance to meet a giant, Just give your biggest smile And say, “How do you do sir? I’m just here for a while!” Fee, fi, fo, fum! Watch that giant rub his tum! Fee, fi, fo, fum! Little child, it’s time to run! Faster: Run down, down, down the
beanstalk From that giant up in the sky, Quickly and politely Just wave and say, “Goodbye!” Slower: And if you think to climb once
more, Count slowly one to ten, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 Faster: Find an axe and chop it down, And don’t go there again! |
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Üsküdar 🔊
Enjoy and dance to this lovely popular Turkish folk melody;
it became very familiar when I spent two summers at International work camps
in Turkey in the late 1960s. Dance as below or enjoy the music with a baby or
toddler baby holding them in your arms and dancing. This is a simple version of the Turkish folk song; find
the full version in Turkish and more about the song at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%A2tibim. 1. Stand
in a circle, hold arms up high with wiggley fingers, move body to the music
and then let fingers slowly drop like rain to floor, pick up imaginary or
real handkerchiefs. 2. Hold one hand high and move round the circle waving
hanky as feet side step in time to the music round the circle. Younger
children could move on the spot and wave hand in the air. |
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On the road to Üsküdar the rain began to fall. On the road to Üsküdar, a handkerchief I found. La la la la, la la la la la la la, La la la la la la la la la, La la la la, la la la la la la la, La la la la la la la la la. |
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Water, water wallflower 🔊
There are many, many versions of this song from all over
the U.K. and the U.S.A. Find some of them at: http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=4300 Children
walk round in a circle holding hands; two children standing next to each
other are chosen by an adult. The other children in the ring wag their
fingers at the two on ‘Fie, fie…’ and the two named turn outwards. The game
continues until all the children are facing outwards. They then sing: Fie, fie, fie for shame! Turn your face to the ring again and all turn back
to face the inside of the ring. |
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Water, water, wallflower
growing up so high, We are all young children
and surely we must die. Except for Tom and Flora, the fairest of us all, They can dance and they
can sing And they can play the
violin. Fie, fie, fie for shame! Turn your back to the ring
again. |
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Way down yonder in the brickyard 🔊
A play party game with a great rhythm. This song comes
from Bessie Jones who says it goes back to her grandfather, Jet Samson who
died in 1941 at the age of 105; he wrote it "down in the brickyard out
from Williamsburg, Virginia, many years ago in slavery time." Find out
more here at
Mudcat. As well as the circle game below children could dance in pairs making
up their own movements and then move to a new partner. 1. Children
stand in a circle and clap. One child walks
around the ring. 2. Centre child stops in front of one in the ring and both
‘step it down’. 3. The pair elbow swing leaving the first player in the
circle and the second ready in the middle to start again. |
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Way down
yonder in the brickyard, Remember
me, Way down
yonder in the brickyard, Remember
me. Oh step
it, step it, step it down, Remember
me, Oh, swing
your lady, turn her around Remember
me. |
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We are dancing in the forest 🔊
This version of a popular classroom song works well with a
colour / clothing theme as it reminds me of the French singing game: Promenons-nous
dans les bois Children stand
in a circle holding hands. One child
is chosen to be the wolf and hides outside the circle. The class sings and walks
around. At the end of the song they call out, "Wolf, are you
there?" Wolf replies, "I am putting on my red coat." or some
other item of clothing. Children sing song again and the wolf replies either
"I am putting on my blue boots." or in a fierce voice "I am
here!" The children pretend to be trees in the forest. The wolf catches a
child who moves and who then becomes the next wolf as the game begins once
again. |
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We are dancing in the
forest, And the wolf is far away. Who knows what will happen
to us, If he finds us at our
play? |
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We are fine musicians 🔊
Adapted from the traditional Swedish circle game ‘Vi äro
musikanter’. Find the version in Swedish and and watch the dance played
at: http://www.swedishsonggames.info/vi--ro-musikanter.html. 1. Stand
in a circle facing left with hands on hips. Walk to the left looking proud. 2. Play
the violin until the word ‘dance’ when children jump and turn to face the
middle. 3. Hold
hands quickly and gallop sideways to the left on ‘boomfalalalas’ 4. Repeat
the actions for 2.-3. But on ‘around the other way’ gallop to the right. |
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Oh, we are fine musicians, we come from far away. And people come from all around, just to hear us play. We can play the vio-vio-violin, We can play and then dance our cares away. And we can dance a boomfalalala, boomfalalala, boomfalala. We can dance a boomfalalala, boomfalalala, hey! We can play the vio-vio-violin, We can play and then dance our cares away. We can dance around the other way, round the other
way, round the other way. We can dance around the other way, round the other way,
hey! |
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We circle around 🔊
A haunting Arapaho Sioux chant, a Native American song to
celebrate the journey on and around the earth and to signify bringing peace
and justice to our world. Can be used as a call and response. Line 1. Sidestep
holding hands in a circle. 2. Holding hands out in front continue to move
round. 3. Move into the circle. 4. Move out. 5. Place hands in the small of
the back to make feathers, dance individually with extended arms to fly. 6.
Repeat. |
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We circle around, we circle around, The boundaries of the earth, We circle around, we circle around, The boundless universe. Wearing our long wing feathers as we fly, Wearing our long wing feathers as we fly. We circle around, we circle around, The boundaries of the earth. |
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We know a giant 🔊
Stomp like a giant, creep like a mouse in this circle
game. Legend has it that at Haytor on Dartmoor in Devon, six
toes of an ancient stone giant can be seen poking up from the earth under
which he is buried. It is also said that when a child is lost upon the moors,
a strong wind blows to tickle the giants foot, to wake him from his slumbers
and carry the child across the moors to safety. We visited the site with the grandchildren recently and
they were entranced. Words and music by Dany Rosevear. 1. One
child, the giant, sits in the centre sleeping with toes outstretched. 2. The
others tiptoe round quietly. 3. On ‘When we saw them’ leader bangs a drum,
the giant jumps up and stomps around as the children crouch staying very
still. 4. The giant continues stomping and on the word ‘ate’ choose a child
to become the new giant. |
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We know a giant has six toes, We saw them, yes we did! We know a giant has six toes, When we saw them, guess what? We hid! Six huge rocks on the moor top, Those toes stood strong and straight, And we trembled as we hid there, Because we wondered what it ate! Yes, we wondered what it ate! |
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We'll all join in the circle 🔊
A coming and playing together song. The verses can easily
be adapted for any scenario; gathering for circle time after active play, as
an action game – make it what you will! The words
are pretty explicit! However to make the song more active ‘stand up’ might
include stamping on the spot and ‘stand still’ could include swaying arms. |
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We'll all join in the
circle, We'll all join in the
circle, We'll all join in the
circle, And sing a song or two. We'll all clap hands
together, We'll all clap hands together,
We'll all clap hands
together, And sing a song or two. We'll all stand up
together… We'll all join hands
together… We'll all turn round
together… We'll all stand still
together… We'll all sit down
together… We'll all be quiet
together… Now singing time is
through. |
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Who are you? Good morning little yellow
bird 🔊
A repetitive,
simple song, perfect for young children. This call and response song was
published in 1921 by Richard Compton to a German folk tune. Sing this song at the beginning of term to say hello and introduce
oneself. Pass a yellow bird puppet around the circle as each child sings
their name and asks the next child theirs. Alternatively the teacher can
point to each child and help them sing their name if necessary. |
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Good
morning, little yellow bird, yellow bird, yellow bird, Good
morning, little yellow bird, Who are you? My
name is Johnny Vireo, Vireo, Vireo, My
name is Johnny Vireo, Who are you? |
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Who will come into my small ring 🔊
A simple circle game for the very young to choose and name
friends. It can be used as an introduction for new groups of children. If there are many children in the group have three or four
children start a ring so every child gets a chance to be chosen. It is lovely to have the naming verse but this can be
omitted to keep the game going at a reasonable pace. Children
stand and sing near a child who walks round in a circle holding hands in a
ring in front of them. That child then chooses a child to join them. Each
time the new child invites another into the group. |
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Who will come into my
small ring, My small ring, my small
ring, Who will come into my
small ring And make it a little bit
bigger? Ethan has come into our
small ring, Our small ring, our small
ring, Ethan has come into our
small ring And made it a little bit
bigger! |
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Wishy-washy-wee O A simple
circle game with a nautical theme. Hold hands
in a circle. Two children stand in the centre holding right hands.
Oh, we are two sailors Lately home from sea, And if you want another one, Come along with me. The circle walks round the two sailors who skip round holding right
hands. On the last line the two in the middle face a new partner in the
circle and new pair place hands on the other’s shoulder. Wishy, washy, wishy, washy, Wishy, washy, wee, And if you want another one, Come along with me. The new pairs dance by swinging their right then the left leg straight
out to the side with a rhythmical
movement. The game then begins once again with a new pair so everyone gets a go. Divide the class into two or three circles if time is a problem. |
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Will you be a friend of mine? 🔊
A copy the action game. Children in the circle can stand
or sit. Make more than one circle with larger numbers so everyone gets a go. In February start with ‘Be my Valentine’. Children
and stand in a circle. One child moves around the circle doing actions such
as skipping, hopping, jumping and clapping. This child stops by another child
and both players move around the circle in the same way. The first child then
returns to the circle and the game continues with the second child moving
around doing a new action. |
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Will you be a friend of
mine, A friend of mine, a friend
of mine? Will you be a friend of
mine, And be my Valentine? Will you be a friend of
mine… And hop around with me? Will you be a friend of
mine… And dance around with me? Will you be a friend of
mine… And wiggle around with me? Will you be a friend of
mine… And clap along with me? |
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Who’s got a fishpole? O
This song can be great fun as children choose more
preposterous things for the fishpole to need. It can also be used as a call
and response song. Children
walk round in a circle holding hands; one child stands in the middle. This
child sings the last line and chooses what fishpole needs; the others mime
whatever is chosen. The child in the centre then selects a child who acts out
the movement well to go into the centre and the game continues. |
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Who’s got a fishpole? We do. Who’s got a fishpole? We do. Who’s got a fishpole? We do. Fishpole needs a line. ...Fishpole needs a hook... ...Fishpole needs a worm... ...Fishpole needs a fish... ...Fishpole needs a river... ...Fishpole needs a boat... |
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Who’s that tapping at my window? O
This song can be used to either encourage children to tap
a simple pattern or to sing solo for others to identify. Older children might like to try this game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fNMLaF1ybI . Game 1: One
child in the circle holds a tambour the other a woodblock. As the circle
sings the first line the child with the tambour taps the pattern for ‘tapping
at my window’, the child with the wood block does the same for ‘tapping at my
door’ Game 2:
Four of five children hide behind a screen; teacher quietly gives one child a
percussion instrument. The class then sing the first two lines and the child
sings and taps out the rhythm of the last four words. The class try to
identify the singer. |
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Who’s that tapping at my window? Who’s that knocking at my door? Ethan’s tapping at the window. Martha’s knocking at the door. Who’s that tapping at my window? Who’s that knocking at my door? I am tapping at the window. I am knocking at the door. |
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Yo ho, I pull the anchor 🔊
An opportunity to move together and to sing solo. You can see the traditional rope pulling game below and played
as a circle game at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLB-M4ZKEKk
. Alternatively the captain needs to demonstrate other tasks
his crew need to learn. Use the words below or the captain (children’s)
suggestions as children take turns to be the captain showing each action from
the middle of the circle for others to imitate. Alternative game and words by Dany Rosevear. 1.
Children sit in a circle holding a thick rope knotted together. 2. They pass
the rope hand over hand. 3. The last one to fall stands apart and whispers to
a friend the name of another child, then returns to the circle and stands in
the centre. 4. The friend announces the name and the players circle again
singing the second verse with names inserted. 5. The ring breaks up and
everyone dances clapping hands. |
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Yo ho, I pull the anchor Yo ho, I’ll show you how. Yo ho, I pull the anchor Who is the captain now? I am the captain now! Yo ho, I turn the wheel round… Yo ho, I scrub the
foredeck… Yo ho, I pump out water… Yo ho, I climb the riggings…
Yo ho, I watch from the crows
nest… SHIP AHOY! Yo ho, I row the boat
ashore… Yo ho, I dig for treasure…
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Zinty tinty tuppeny bun O Explore different rhythms in this game. You will need to
practice ‘walking’ running’ galloping and other rhythms before the game
starts. Make a
circle holding hands. One child ‘the fox’ walks round the outside of the
circle beating a drum in time to the music as the others sing Those in the
circle make a door to allow the ‘fox’ in. This child plays a rhythm and those
in the ring move appropriately to it. A new child who performs the rhythm
best is chosen to be ‘the fox’ next time. |
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Zinty, tinty tuppenny bun, The fox came out to have some fun; He had some fun, he beat the drum, Zinty, tinty tuppenny bun! Open the ring and let him in. |
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A song
from Israel when the first kibbutz were set up. Sing both
stanzas twice.
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