#14 Fingerplays - (Updated 7/20/15)
TOPICS (Just click on the title you want to view)
Translating Musical Content--Web Sites
Apple Tree--Bear in the Cave--Brow Benty--Climb Up the Ladder--Cobbler, Cobbler
Elf's Coat--Eye Winker--Five Little Puppies--Funny Little Man
Here Are Baby's Eyes--Here Sits Lord Mayor--Grandma's Spectacles--Here is a House--My House--Two Little Houses
I see theWind--Jack in the Box--Little Groundhog--Little Red Box--Little Miss Muffet--My Eyes Can See--The Garden
Over There the Sun Comes Up--Round the Garden--My Hands--Rain--My Little Rabbit--My Little Snowman--Round About Wee Mouse
Showing Features--Slide in the Sea--Ten Little Firefighters--There Was a Little Turtle--Tom's House--Two Little Blackbirds
Comments: For those of you teaching the very young (thru Kindergarten) will find great delight in simple fingerplays. I've seen countless children squeal with delight at many of the poems. (Especially if there is a sudden or surprising ending.) In some cases, I've added melodies where there weren't but be creative.
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Translating Musical Content
Translating musical content:d,r,m,f,s,l,t refer to solfeggio; d' etc., refer to octave above or below
I= tah (quarter note), // = ti-ti (2 eighth notes), b = tah-ah (half note),
z = quarter rest, b. dotted half, ///=triplet, / = single eighth note
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WEB SITE
Other fingerplays: http://www.naturallearning.com http://member.aol.com/toddleroo/activities/fngr2.htm
This is a good site for finger plays and other activities for preschoolers:
http://www.tecinfo.com/~nlearn/plays.html
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APPLE TREE
s s s d' t l s fThis is the tree with leaves so green.
(make leaves with fingers outstretched)
m m m l s s f m m r
Here are the apples that hang in between.(make fist)
d d r m f s l l t
When the wind blows (blow)The apples will fall,(falling motion with hand)
d t t l s s r m r d
Here is the basket to gather them all.(use arms to form basket)
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TWO RED APPLES
Away up high in the apple tree (point up) Two red apples smiled at me (hold up both fists and look up at them) I shook that tree as hard as I could (violently shake the 'tree') And down came the apples, mmmm they were good! (Move hands down to floor, then rub tummy.BACK to Fingerplay titles
***********************************************************************BEAR IN THE CAVE
Here is the cave(Cup L to make the cave. Clench R w/thumb raised to rep. bear)
and here is the bear
And here comes the wind (Wave both hands. Flutter fingers.)
With it's cold, blistery air.
"Come little bear, and hurry inside. (Beckon w/index of R)
The cave is a warm place
In which you can hide." (Put R thumb into L fist)
Sleep, little bear, all cozy and snug
(Place hands tog. w/fingers outstretched. Rest hand on hands.)
With the snow on your cave like a fluffy white rug.
Wake little bear (Clench R w/R thumb upright.) It's time now to play.
The wind's blowing warm & the snow's gone away.
Run little bear, (Use 2d & 3d fingers)
On your 2 little feet & hunt in the forest for god things to eat.
Play, little bear, (Make fingers of right hand rock back & forth.)
in the forest all day, till winter returns And you must hide away.
BACK to Fingerplay titles
***********************************************************************BROW BENTY
Brow, brow, benty----- d d m sEe, ee, winky----- m m m d
Nose, nose, nebbie----- r r r f
Cheek, cheek, cherry----- m m m d
Mou', mou', merrie----- d d m s
Chin, chin, chackie----- m m m d
Catch a flea, catch a flea.-----r r r s' s' d (s'=low sol)
BACK to Fingerplay titles
***********************************************************************CLIMB UP THE LADDER
Climb up the ladder, Hurry to the slideSit at the top, and down you slide!
Melody: D-R M-R D-R M__ D D R M F__ (hold this pitch)
S_ S-S S_______ F M__ R__ D__.
(fingers climb other arm held at angle to simulate a slide, then alter the angle to slide down)
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***********************************************************************COBBLER, COBBLER
d m s m f r r_ m d d m r s' s' s' s d d d m (m m s s s m m m r t' t' s' r r d m d) COBBLER, cobbler mend my shoe, get it done by half past two With a bang [and a bang] 6x bang bang bang ! Half past two is much too late, get it done by half past eight With a bang.....BACK to Fingerplay titles
***********************************************************************ELF'S COAT
Under a toadstool there sat a wee elf;He rocked to and fro & sang to himself. (Rock)
He cut & he basted, this wee little elf,
Because he was making a coat for himself.(Hold up)
(Sing refrain:) A snippety-snappety Hi-diddle-dee!
A clickety-clackety, 1,2,3 (clap 3x)
The little elf rocked & sang all the night;
He stitched & he sewed til' the morning light. (Rock & sew)
He borrowed some green from the grass on the ground(Cup hands)
From a nut on the tree he borrowed some brown. (Pinch dirt)
(Refrain)
His coat was all done & he jumped to alight (fingers jump)
Singing his song that was happy & bright.
(Refrain)
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***********************************************************************EYE WINKER
Eye Winker, Tom Tinker,(point to cheeks) Nose Smeller, Mouth EaterChin Choppper, Chin Chopper, Chin Chopper Chopper Chin. (do this faster)
The head bone, the wrist bone, the chest bone (use a resonant voice), the REST bone! (point to lower extremities)
Chin Choppper, Chin Chopper, Chin Chopper Chopper Chin.
(Take a pause between each body part - allowing the child to echo when ready to sing)
Melody: D M-S, M M-D, R R-F, M M-D.
---------D M S L F R T' T'-T' T'-T' D
(' means eighths)
---------D M-S, L M-D, R R-F, M M-D (then repeat Chin melody)
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FIVE LITTLE PUPPIES
Five little puppies were playing in the sun.(hold up hands, fingers extended)
This one saw a rabbit, and he began to run. (bend down first finger)
This one saw a butterfly, and he began to race. (bend down secind finger)
This one saw a cat, and he began to chase. (bend down third finger)
This one tried to catch his tail, and he went round and round. (bend down fourth finger)
this one was so quiet, he never made a sound. (bend down thumb)
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FUNNY LITTLE MAN
There was a funny little man (Hold up thumb of right hand.)In a funny little house! (Place thumb inside clenched fist of R hand.)
And right across the way (Repeat w/L hand.)
There was another funny man In a funny little house, And they played hide & seek all day.
The one little man (Slip thumb between first & second finger.)
Through his window would peep, " " " And seeing no one,would softly creep
Out of his door, (Slip thumb out of fist.)
Out of his door. (With thumb extended move hand forward.)
And back into the house would (Slip thumb back into fist.)
Now the other little man (Repeat the same motions with the other hand for this verse.)
Through his window would peep, And seeing no one,would softly creep Out of his door.
He'd look up & down, And high And low, And back into the house he would go.
But one day these funny little men Forgot to peep, And out of their doors Did softly creep.
They looked up & down, And high,& low,
And seeing each other-they laughed- (Wiggle thumbs at each other.)
Ha,Ha,Ho,Ho, And back into their houses did go.
BACK to Fingerplay titles
*******************************************************************HERE ARE GRANDMA'S SPECTACLES
(6/8 meter, begins on down beat)d r m f s s s s
Here are Grandma's spectacles and(make little circles with fingers over eyes)
l f d l s 7 (eighth rest) s
Here is Grandma's hat, and
(circle your head and pretend you are tying it underneath your chin)
f m r f m r d m r m r m r z. (dotted quarter rest)
Here's the way she folds her hands and sits them in her lap. (fold your hands sweetly on your lap)
d r m f s s s s
Here are Grandpa's spectacles and (make them bigger that grandma's)
l f d l s 7 (eighth rest) s
Here is Grandpa's hat and (make a big hat overhead with your hands)
d' d' t l s m d. m r d. z.
Here's the way he folds His arms just like that
(fold arms across chest, relax back in chair and fold knee over other)
BACK to Fingerplay titles
*******************************************************************HERE SITS LORD MAYOR
(Minor key) Here sits the Lord Mayor, (forehead) l' l' t' d l'Here sit his men, (eyes) r r m f
Here sits the cockadoodle, (right cheek) t' t' d r t'
Here sits the hen, (left cheek) d t' l'
Here sit the little chickens, (teeth) m m m l l (high la)
Here they run in, (mouth) f f m r
Chin choper, chin chopper, t' t' t' m m m
chin chopper, chin. (chuck under chin) d d t' l'
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*******************************************************************HERE IS A HOUSE
l / / l / / l l l zd d d s s s l f s
Here is a house with the roof so good
l / / l / / l l l z
f r r m d d r s s
Here are the walls that are made of wood
l / / l / / l / / l z
d d d s s s l f f s
Here are the windows that let in the light
l / / l l l l l z
r t' t' m d r t' d
Here is the door that shuts so tight.
l / / l l l l l z
l l l s d l l s
Here is the chimney straight and tall
/ / l l l l l l
r r r s s m d d
What a good house for one and all.
BACK to Fingerplay titles
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MY HOUSE
I'm going to build a little house, (Fingers form roof.) l' l' t' d r m m m With windows big & bright (Two index fingers & thumbs.) l' r r r m f__ With chimney tall & curling smoke, (Stand w/arms up in air.) f t' t' t' d r d t' Drifting out of sight. d d d r m In winter when the snowflakes fall, (Hands flutter down.) .) l' l' t' d r m m m Or when I hear a storm, (Hand cupped to ear.) l' r r r m f__ I'll go sit in my little house, (Sit down.) f t' t' t' d r d t' Where I'll be snug & warm. (Cross arms over chest.) m m r d t' l'BACK to Fingerplay titles
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TWO LITTLE HOUSES
Two little houses closed up tight. (Make two tight fists.) d r-r m-d f m r_Let's open the windows r/ t' t'-d r-t' (Make circles of thumbs & index fingers.)
And let in some light. " " t'/ m r d_ (3x)
Ten little finger people tall & straight. d r-r m-d f s l_ (Fingers up straight.)
Ready for the bus at half-past eight. s-s s-s s f m r d (Fingers run to catch bus.)
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**************************************************************I SEE THE WIND
d d m s s s l f s I see the wind when the leaves dance by, (Dance hands around)f f r m m d r s s I see the wind when the Clothes wave"Hi!" (Wave hand)
d d m s s s l f s I see the wind when the trees bend low, (Bend arms over and down)
f f r m m d r s d I see the wind when the flags all blow. (wave arms high)
l l l s d d f f m I see the wind when the kites Fly high, (raise arms high)
l l l s d' d' t l s I see the wind when the clouds float by. (wave hand gently)
d d m s s s l f s I see the wind when it blows my hair, (lift hair with hands.)
d' t l s f m r d I see the wind 'most everywhere! (Hold hands out, palms up.)
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**************************************************************JACK IN THE BOX
They kneel down on the floor (get into their "box") and sing:Jack in the box, So quiet and still, will you come out?
(here everyone jumps up and shouts)
"Of course I will!"
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Jack in the box all shut up tight (one hand covering the other fisted hand)
Not a breath of air or a ray of light;
How tired he must be all folded up right
Let's open the lid, careful not to bump, (slowly lift hand off fist)
Let's raise it some more,And UP HE'LL JUMP!!! (fist flies open and up)
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LITTLE GROUNDHOG
A little ground hog lived cozy & snug (Wrap L around R thumb)In an underground house like a bug in a rug.
One day, bright & early, he poked out his head.
(Clench R. H. with thumb raised, while L is wrapped around it.)
"I wonder if Spring has come," he said.
He hopped from his burrow & started to run
And then saw his shadow
(Fingers of L. curved to make a circle. R clenched w/thumb raised.)
Cast by the sun. "Oh dear, Oh, dear," he cried out in fright.
"I came out too soon," and he ducked out of sight. (R. clenched w/thumb inside)
Back into his underground burrow he crept
And for 6 more winter weeks he slept and slept.
Then out he came running one sunny Spring day (Make 2d & 3d fingers of R "run."
This time--no shadow, this time to stay.
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LITTLE RED BOX
"I have a great song that my classes always love:"
Note: the first word of every line is an anacrusis or 'pickup' note in 4/4 meter
/ / / / / \ \ / / / / / / / l 7
g a g e c d d c c g a g e g g
I wish I had a little red box to put my good friends in
/ / / / / / / /
g a g e c (d c c if use words instead of action)
I'd take them out and (kiss,kiss kiss)
/ / / / / l 7
d e c a' c c
and put them back again
LITTLE RED BOX
"I have a great song that my classes always love:"Note: the first word of every line is an anacrusis or 'pickup' note in 4/4 meter
/ / / / / \ \ / / / / / / / l 7
g a g e c d d c c g a g e g g
I wish I had a little red box to put my good friends in
/ / / / / / / /
g a g e c (d c c if use words instead of action)
I'd take them out and (kiss,kiss kiss)
/ / / / / l 7
d e c a' c c
and put them back again
(For chorus, sing chorus of "Get Along Little Susie" while clapping hands - I use faster tempo for chorus)
2. oh I wish I had a little red box
to put my bad(silly)friends in
I'd take them out and (tisk tisk tisk )(Point as if scolding, while saying)
and put them back again
3. I wish I had a little red box
to put my monsters in
I'd lock them up and throw away
the key and never let them out again!
BACK to Fingerplay titles
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MY EYES CAN SEE
My eyes can see (Make eyeglasses w/hands)My mouth can talk (Make hand "talk")
My ears can hear (Cup hands behind ears)
My feet can walk (Use 2d & 3d fingers)
My nose can smell (Touch nose w/index finger of right hand.)
My teeth can bite (Move fingers together and apart as if chewing.)
My lids can flutter. (Hold hands up to eyes & flutter fingers)
My hand can write (Pretend to write)
But when the sandman comes at night &
Scatters sand (Pretend to be scattering snad w/R. hand)
Turns out the light. (Pretend to turn out light switch.)
I'll say "good night" (Wave "good night with R. hand.)
To you and you and each part of me says "good night" too.
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OVER THERE THE SUN COMES UP
(meter 6/8, key minor)Over there the Sun goes up (pt. ahead)
And marches all the day (pt. ahead, lift arm)
At noon the Sun stands overhead; (pt. up)
At night it goes away. (pt. up, lower arm)
d r m r d r m -- f s s d’ d’ s__ -- s d’ d’ t l s f m -- m r r s s d__
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THIS IS MY GARDEN
(meter 6/8, key minor)/// /// /// I.
llt dll rrm f
This is my garden, I'll rake it with care
I / /// I I I
td rrt d t l)
Then some flower seeds I'll plant there.
/- I / I / I / I
m - l'l' ml ff r
The sun will shine, the rain will fall, /-/// /// /// I.
r ttt mmm ddt l.
My garden will blossom and grow straight and tall.
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ROUND THE GARDEN
Round and round the garden like a teddy bear(swirl your index finger around palm of child's hand)
One step, Two step (walk fingers up child's arm)
Hidden under there! (tickle child's underarm)
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********************************************************************MY HANDS
(Do corresponding motions while saying)On my head my hands I place. On my shoulders, on my face, on my hips,
and at my side, then behind me they will hide, I will hold them up so high,
quickly make my fingers fly(wiggle fingers), hold them out in front of me, Swiftly clap them. One, two, three! (Clap, clap, clap)
BACK to Fingerplay titles
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12/09 HERE ARE BABY’S EYES Melody: 2/4 Here are baby’s eyes to look around, m-m d-d s’ m m r r z
Here are baby’s ears to listen to the sound. r-r t’-t’ s’-r’ r d d z
Here is baby’s nose to smell something sweet, m-m d-d s’ m m r r z
Here is baby’s mouth that likes to eat. s-s s-s s f m r d z
Vs. 2: Here are baby’s hands to hold you tight, here are baby’s legs to stand so right. Here is baby’s back to lay upon, here are baby’s feet to walk around.
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RAIN
Pitter Pat, pitter pat (drum fingers on floor), the rain goes on for hours.And though it keeps me in the house, it's very (hold hands palms up and closed into fists in front of you) good for (open fists) flowers (lift hands imitating flowers growing up).
The red at the top Tells us to STOP!(Extend arm out with palm facing out.)
The green below Tells us to GO!(Sweep arm out as traffic director would do)
The yellow in the middle Tells us to WAIT! (Extend both arms out.)
Please don't worry- You won't be late!
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MY RABBIT
My little rabbit (hold up 2 fingers)Does not have much fun. (Hold hands w/palms up)
He does not jump (jumping motion)
He does not run. (2d & 3d fingers)
But give him a thump (Jerk rabbit slightly)
And watch him jump. (motion)
Jump little rabbit, jump, jump, jump.
Here is a Bunny with ears so funny (2 fingers held up on one hand)
And here is his hole in the ground. (other hand shows 'hole')
He pricks up his ears when he hears a noise, (wiggle and straighten fingers)
And jumps in his hole in the ground. (2 fingers go thru 'hole' in other hand)
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MY SNOWMAN
I made a little snowman (Go through motions of making a snowman.)With hat and cane complete (Touch head & pretend to grip cane.)
With shiny buttons on his coat. (Point to buttons)
And shoes upon his feet. (Hands held parallel to represent feet.)
But I know when the sun comes out (Make sun w/hands)
My snowman will go away. (2d & 3d fingers "run")
So I'll put him in out big deep freeze (Lower w/hands)
And he'll be sure to stay.
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BACK to Fingerplay titles
*******************************************************************ROUNDABOUT WEE MOUSEY
Roundabout, roundabout, little wee mousey(swirl your index finger around palm of child's hand)
Up the tree, up the tree,(walk fingers up child's arm)
Into the housey!(tickle child's underarm)
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SHOWING FEATURES
(Sing this slowly allowing time after each line for children echo you or just do actions.)l l / l.
d d m s
Brow, brow, benty,
l l / l.
m m m d
Ee, ee, winky,
I I / / z
r r r f
Nose, nose, nebbie,
l l / l.
m m m d
Cheek, cheek, cherry,
(For next 2 lines, use melody of first two)
Mou', mou', merrie,
Chin, chin, chackie,
/ / I / / I
r r r s' s' d
Catch a flea, catch a flea.
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Ring the bell, (tug a lock of hair & wave it)
Knock at the door, (tap forehead)
Peep in, (peer into eyes)
Lift the latch, (tilt nose)
Walk in, (open mouth)
Go way down cellar & eat apples! (tickle throat)
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Here sits the Lord Mayor, (forehead)
Here sit his men, (eyes)
Here sits the cockadoodle, (right cheek)
Here sits the hen, (left cheek)
Here sit the little chickens, (teeth)
Here they run in, (mouth)
Chin choper, chin chopper,
chin chopper, chin. (chuck under chin)
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SLIDE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA
(Minor key) On the ocean bottom l'-l' t'-t' d-l' (Fingers of right hand outstretched. Move L. to R.)<Deep and far away r-r d-d t'___(Point downward with indexfinger of R. hand.)
King Neptund built a great big slide t'/#s-#s l'-l' t'-l' #s__(Place hands together, fingers touching.)
Where mermaids come to play. #s/l' l' t' d l'
Down the slide the mermaids glide f-f r-r m-m d-d d (Slide right hand down left one.)
Round & round they swim t'-t' t'-t' m__ (Move hand to represent fish swimming in water.)
Climb the ladder to the top l'-'l t'-t' d r m ___(Make index & middle fingers of R. and climb "rung" of L.
And slide right down again. m/ m r d t' l' (Slide right hand down left one.)
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**************************************************************TEN LITTLE FIREFIGHTERS
(When learning this little play, take time with each phrase pausing for the children to catch on and imitate you.)l / / / / / / l / / l z
d d r m m d d r t't'd
Ten little fire fighters all in a row.
(Both hands in fists held with thumbs, touching - fingers are firefighters!)
l l / / / / / / / / l Z
s s s l s m r r r m r Z Ding, Dong, goes the bell and down the pole they go;
(Show hands climbing down)
l / / l l l l l Z
d d r m d r t' d Z
Off on the engine, oh, oh, oh. (Hands on wheel turning)
/ / l l l l l l Z
f f f f l s s m
Using the big hose so, so, so. (Hold the hose to spray fire.)
/ / / / l Z l l l Z
r r r r l Z s s m Z
When the fire's out, Home so slow,
(On "out," clap and then on "home so slow, hands on wheel turning)
l // l Z l / / l Z
r rr f Z m r r d
Back into bed; All in a row. (As beginning)
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THERE WAS A LITTLE TURTLE
Note: the first word of every line is an anacrusis or 'pickup' note in 4/4 meter/ / / / / / / 7 / l / / l z
e c c c c e e e d d d g'(low)
1. there was a little turtle who lived in a box
/ l / / / / / / l / / l z
g c c c e e e e d b b c
2. he swam in the river and he climbed on the rocks
/ l /-/- / / / 7 / l / / l z
c a a a a g g c a a a g
3. he snapped at the mos - quito, he snapped at the flea,
/ l / / / / / / l l l 7
c a a a g g g f e c c
4. he snapped at the minnow, and he snapped at me.
He caught the mosquito, he caught the flea
he caught the minnow but he didn't catch ME! (Use melody from lines 3 & 4)
(Repeat lines 1 & 2 diminishing in volume to the end.)
This one was loved by my Pre-K and K. They asked for it over and over.
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****************************************************************TOM'S HOUSE
Here is my house all cosy and neat (fist)Here is Tom's house across the street (other fist)
Every day the door opens wide (fist opens)
And away I go to play outside (index finger dances)
Soon Tom's door flies open, too. (other fist opens)
And he comes calling "how are you?" (other index finger approaches first)
We laugh and play and jump and run (fingers act accordingly)
Till our Mothers call and STOP our fun (freeze on the word stop and looked surprised)
Then, in we go, the doors close tight. (fists close)
But we wave from out windows and say (in a small voice) "Good night!"
> (stick thumbs between fisted fingers to wave)
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LITTLE MISS MUFFET
(Meter: 6/8, key major)
Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet(/// I / /// I / s'l's' d d s'l's' r r)
Eating her curds and whey. (/// I / I. Z. mfs d m r. Z.)
Along came a spider who sat down beside her
(/ /// /// /// /// s'l's' dds' s'l's' r r)
And frightened Miss Muffet away!(sing this hurredly)(/ /// /// I. ssf mmr d.)
Use a fist for 'Miss Muffet' and the other hand for the 'spider' with those fingers for the spider's legs.
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****************************************************************TWO LITTLE BLACKBIRDS
Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill, One named Jack, the other named Jill.Fly away Jack, fly away Jill. Come back Jack, Come back Jill.
Two little blackbirds sitting in the snow One named High and the other named Low
Fly away High, Fly away Low. Come back High, Come back Low.
(use corresponding high or low voice)
Two little blackbirds sitting in a loft One named Loud and the other named Soft.
Fly away Loud, fly away Soft Come back Loud, Come back Soft.---- Julie Jones