The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHILDREN'S SONG

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 THROW THEM OVER YOUR
SHOULDER LIKE A CONTINENTAL SOLDIER?
DO YOUR EARS HANG LOW?

Where learned: TELEPHONE

Keyword(s): EARS ; HYPERBOLE ; STRUCTURE: QUESTIONS WITHOUT ANSWERS

Date learned: 10-13-1967

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CHILDREN'S SONG

ITSY BITSY SPIDER ON THE WATER SPOUT
DOWN CAME THE RAIN AND WASHED THE SPIDER OUT
UP CAME THE SUN AND DRIED THE SPIDER OUT
AND THE ITSY BITSY SPIDER CLIMBED UP THE
WATER SPOUT.

Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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CHILDREN'S SONG

OH, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, BILLY BOY, BILLY BOY
OH, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, CHARMING BILLY
I HAVE BEEN TO SEEK A WIFE
SHE'S THE JOY OF MY LIFE
BUT SHE'S A YOUNG THING, AND CANNOT
LEAVE HER MA.

Submitter comment: THIS IS ALL I CAN RECALL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; SAINT MARK ; SAINT MARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Keyword(s): PURE DIALOGUE ; QUESTION AND ANSWER STRUCTURE

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CHILDREN'S SONGS

CHORUS: FUZZY WUZZY WAS A GUY.
LOOKED LIKE A HAWK WITH AN EAGLE'S EYE.
FOOLING PEOPLE WAS HIS NAME.
FUZZY WUZZY WAS THE OLD GUY'S NAME.

1ST VERSE: OLD KING COLE WAS A MERRY OLD SOLE.
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON A TELEPHONE POLE.
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON A TELEPHONE POLE.
ONE FOOT SLIPPED; THE OTHER ONE FELL.
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN HE WENT TO HELL.
CHORUS

2ND VERSE: FUZZY WUZZY HAD BIG FEET.
SPREAD ALL OVER MARKET STREET.
MARKET STREET WAS MADE OF GLASS
FUZZY WUZZY FELL DOWN AND BROKE HIS . . .
CHORUS

3RD VERSE: WAY DOWN YONDER WHERE THE GRASS GROWS GREEN.
FROG JUMPED INTO A SEWING MACHINE.
SEWING MACHINE WAS GOING SO FAST
NINETY-NINE STICHES UP HIS . . .
CHORUS

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Keyword(s): CACOGRAPHY: SOLE FOR SOUL ; ELLIPSIS ; EUPHEMISM FOR ASS ; METONYMY: SOUL OR SOLE FOR ENTIRE PERSON, BODY, ETC.

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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TEAPOT

I'M A LITTLE TEAPOT SHORT AND STOUT,

THIS IS MY HANDLE, THIS IS MY SPOUT

Submitter comment: (SUNG)

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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SONG

THE ANTS GO MARCHING ONE BY ONE. HURRAH} HURRAH}
(REPEAT TWICE)
THE LITTLE ONE STOPPED TO HAVE SOME FUN.
AND THEY ALL GO MARCHING DOWN THE EARTH
TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM (REFRAIN)

THE ANTS GO MARCHING TWO BY TWO. HURRAH} HURRAH}
(REPEAT TWICE)
THE LITTLE ONE STOPPED TO TIE HIS SHOE.
AND THEY ALL GO MARCHING DOWN THE EARTH
TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN.
(REFRAIN)

THE ANTS GO MARCHING THREE BY THREE. HURRAH} HURRAH}
(REPEAT TWICE)
THE LITTLE ONE STOPPED TO CLIMB A TREE.
AND THEY ALL GO MARCHING DOWN THE EARTH
TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN.
(REFRAIN)

AND THE ANTS GO MARCHING FOUR BY FOUR
THE ANTS GO MARCHING FOUR BY FOUR. HURRAH} HURRAH}
(REPEAT TWICE)
THE LITTLE ONE STOPPED TO CLOSE A DOOR.
AND THEY ALL GO MARCHING DOWN THE EARTH
TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN.
(REFRAIN)

THE ANTS GO MARCHING FIVE BY FIVE. HURRAH} HURRAH}
THE LITTLE ONE STOPPED AND GOT SQUASHED ALIVE.
AND THEY ALL GO MARCHING DOWN THE EARTH
TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN.
(REFRAIN)

THE ANTS GO MARCHING SIX BY SIX. HURRAH} HURRAH}
(REPEAT TWICE)
THE LITTLE ONE STOPPED TO PICK UP SOME STICKS.
AND THEY ALL GO MARCHING DOWN THE EARTH
TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN.
(REFRAIN)

THE ANTS GO MARCHING SEVEN BY SEVEN. HURRAH} HURRAH}
(REPEAT TWICE)
THE LITTLE ONE STOPPED TO VISIT HEAVEN.
AND THEY ALL GO MARCHING DOWN THE EARTH
TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN.
(REFRAIN)

THE ANTS GO MARCHING EIGHT BY EIGHT. HURRAH} HURRAH}
(REPEAT TWICE)
THE LITTLE ONE STOPPED AND BROKE A SLATE.
AND THEY ALL GO MARCHING DOWN THE EARTH.
TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN.
(REFRAIN)

THE ANTS GO MARCHING NINE BY NINE. HURRAH} HURRAH}
(REPEAT TWICE)
THE LITTLE ONE STOPPED AND BROKE HIS SPINE,
AND THEY ALL GO MARCHING DOWN THE EARTH
TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN
REFRAIN

THE ANTS GO MARCHING TEN BY TEN. HURRAH} HURRAH}
(REPEAT TWICE)
THE LITTLE ONE STOPPED AND DID IT AGAIN.
AND THEY ALL GO MARCHING DOWN THE EARTH
TO GET OUT OF THE RAIN.

REFRAIN

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHAIN SONG

Date learned: 11-29-1967

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YANKEE DOODLE WENT TO TOWN
STUCK A FEATHER IN HIS CROWN
CALLED HIM MACCARONI.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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THERE'S A HOLE IN MY BUCKET

THERE'S A HOLE IN MY BUCKET, DEAR HENRY, DEAR HENRY, THERE'S A
HOLE IN MY BUCKET, DEAR HENRY, A HOLE.
WELL FIX IT, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, WELL FIX IT, DEAR LIZA,
DEAR LIZA, FIX IT.
WITH WHAT SHALL I FIX IT, DEAR HENRY, DEAR HENRY, WITH WHAT
SHALL I FIX IT, DEAR HENRY, WITH WHAT?
WITH STRAW, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, WITH STRAW, DEAR LIZA,
DEAR LIZA, WITH STRAW.
WITH SHALL I CUT IT, DEAR HENRY, DEAR HENRY, WITH WHAT SHALL
I CUT IT, DEAR HENRY, WITH WHAT?
WITH A KNIFE, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, WITH A KNIFE, DEAR
LIZA, DEAR LIZA, A KNIFE.
WITH WHAT SHALL I SHARPEN IT, DEAR HENRY, DEAR HENRY, WITH WHAT
SHALL I SHARPEN IT, DEAR HENRY, WITH WHAT?
WITH A STONE, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, WITH A STONE,
DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, A STONE.
WITH WHAT SHALL I WET IT, DEAR HENRY, DEAR HENRY, WITH WHAT
SHALL I WET IT, DEAR HENRY, WITH WHAT?
WITH WATER, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, WITH WATER, DEAR
LIZA, DEAR LIZA, WATER
WITH WHAT SHALL I FETCH IT, DEAR HENRY, DEAR HENRY, WITH
WHAT SHALL I FETCH IT, DEAR HENRY, WITH WHAT?
WITH A BUCKET, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, WITH A BUCKET,
DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA, A BUCKET.
THERE'S A HOLE IN MY BUCKET, DEAR HENRY, DEAR HENRY, THERE'S
A HOLE IN MY BUCKET, DEAR HENRY, A HOLE.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS SONG IN THE DAY CAMPS IN THE CHICAGO AREA.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DORMS

Keyword(s): CHAIN SONG ; PURE DIALOGUE ; QUESTION AND ANSWER STRUCTURE

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100 BOTTLES OF BEER

100 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL- 100 BOTTLES OF BEER
IF ONE OF THOSE BOTTLES SHOULD HAPPEN TO FALL
99 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL-99 BOTTLES OF BEER
IF ONE OF THOSE BOTTLES SHOULD HAPPEN TO FALL
98 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL. - (REPEATED DOWN
TO) 1 BOTTLE OF BEER ON THE WALL- ONE BOTTLE OF BEER
IF THAT BOTTLE OF BEER SHOULD HAPPEN TO FALL
0 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL.

Submitter comment: LEARNED IN: JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYVANIA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHAIN SONG

Date learned: 10-06-1967

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CHILDREN'S SONG

DID YOU EVER TAKE A WALK ON A HOT SUMMER DAY
DOWN BY THE RIVER JUST TO PASS THE TIME AWAY?
PUT YOUR HANDS IN YOUR POCKET AND YOUR
POCKETS IN YOUR PANTS, AND WATCH THE LITTLE
FISHEES DO THE HOOTCHIE-HOOTCHIE DANCE.
OH AN OLD CROW FLEW IN A COUNTRY STORE
AND HE PTTTT ON THE COUNTER AND HE PTTTT ON THE
FLOOR, AND HE PTTTT IN THE COFFEE AND HE PTTTT IN
THE TEA. AND IF I HADNA' RUN, HE'D A PTTTT ON ME.
IF FROGS HAD WINGS AND TOADS HAD HAIR
AUTOMOBILES COULD FLY IN THE AIR. IF PUMPKINS
GREW ON WATERMELON VINES, YOU OUGHTA HAVE
SNOW IN THE SUMMERTIME.

PTTTT-DA-DEE-YA-DA-PTTT-DING

Where learned: DEARBORN ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BIRD DUNG ; LUBBERLAND ; MARVELS ; ONOMATOPOEIA

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CROCODILE SONG

THEY SAILED A WAY A SUNNY SUMMER DAY
ON THE BACK OF A CROCODILE.
" YOU SEE, " SAID SHE, " HE'S AS TAME AS HE CAN BE
I'LL FLOAT HIM DOWN THE NILE. "
THE CROCK WINKED HIS EYE AS SHE WAVED THEM ALL GOOD-BYE
WEARING A HAPPY SMILE.
AT THE END OF THE RIDE, THE LADY WAS INSIDE AND THE
SMILE ON THE CROCODILE.

Submitter comment: SONG WHICH IS SUNG BY MANY SMALL CHILDREN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM, INDIRECTION

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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CHILD SONG

THERE ONCE WAS A MAN WITH A DOUBLE CHIN
AND HE PLAYED ALL DAY ON HIS VIOLIN
AND HE PLAYED ALL DAY
AND HE PLAYED ALL NIGHT
BUT HE COULDN'T PLAY ANYTHING
BUT "OLD ZIP COON."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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SONG

INKY PINKY MY GOOD HEN,
LAY SOME EGGS FOR A GENTLEMAN.
SOMETIMES NINE, SOMETIMES TEN,
INKY PINKY MY GOOD HEN.

Submitter comment: LEARNED IN CANADA ON FARM.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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CHILDREN'S SONG

KOO-HA-BUR-RA SITS ON AN OLD GUM TREE.
MERRY, MERRY KING OF THE BUSH IS HE.
LAUGH, KOO-HA-BUR-RA, LAUGH
KOO-HA-BUR-RA.
GAY YOUR LIFE MUST BE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Date learned: 12-01-1967

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MY GAL'S A CORKER

MY GAL'S A CORKER, SHE'S A NEW YORKER.
I BUY HER EVERYTHING TO KEEP HER IN STYLE. LA - LA - LA.
SHE'S GOT A PAIR OF FEET JUST LIKE TWO SLABS OF MEAT.
YES, SIR, THAT'S WHERE MY MONEY GOES.

MY GAL'S A CORKER, SHE'S A NEW YORKER.
I BUY HER EVERYTHING TO KEEP HER IN STYLE. LA - LA LA.
SHE'S GOT A PAIR OF KNEES JUST LIKE TWO ROTTEN PEAS.
YES, SIR, THAT'S WHERE MY MONEY GOES.

MY GAL'S A CORKER, SHE'S A NEW YORKER.
I BUY HER EVERYTHING TO KEEP HER IN STYLE. LA - LA - LA.
SHE'S GOT A PAIR OF HIPS JUST LIKE TWO BATTLESHIPS
YES, SIR, THAT'S WHERE MY MONEY GOES.

MY GAL'S A CORKER, SHE'S A NEW YORKER.
I BUY HER EVERYTHING TO KEEP HER IN STYLE. LA - LA - LA.
SHE'S GOT A PAIR OF LIPS JUST LIKE TWO POKER CHIPS.
YES, SIR, THAT'S WHERE MY MONEY GOES.

MY GAL'S A CORKER, SHE'S A NEW YORKER.
I BUY HER EVERYTHING TO KEEP HER IN STYLE. LA - LA - LA.
SHE'S GOT A PAIR OF EYES JUST LIKE TWO PIZZA PIES.
YES, SIR, THAT'S WHERE MY MONEY GOES.

MY GAL'S A CORKER, SHE'S A NEW YORKER.
I BUY HER EVERYTHING TO KEEP HER IN STYLE. LA - LA - LA.
SHE'S GOT A HEAD OF HAIR JUST LIKE A GRIZZLY BEAR.
YES, SIR, THAT'S WHERE MY MONEY GOES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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SONG

JOHN JACOB JINGLES IRISH SMITH
THAT'S MY NAME TOO.
WHENEVER WE GO OUT
THE PEOPLE ALWAYS SHOUT
THERE GOES JOHN JACOB JINGLES IRISH SMITH.
TRA LA LA LA LA LA LA.

Submitter comment: THE VERSE IS SUNG SIX TIMES. EACH TIME IT IS SUNG THE SINGER'S
VOICE BECOMES A LITTLE SOFTER (EXCEPT FOR THE LAST TWO LINES WHICH
ARE ALWAYS SHOUTED) UNTIL THE WORDS ARE JUST MOUTHED FOR THE LAST
SINGING.
HEARD IN ROYAL OAK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Keyword(s): HUMOROUS NAME

Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER

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CHILDREN'S SONG

COO, PIGEON, COO PIGEON
COME FLY FROM YONDER TEMPLE ROOF.
I'LL FEED YOU BEANS, SO EAT UP ALL.
WHEN YOU'VE FINISHED, DON'T FLY AWAY.
SING COO, COO AND PLAY AWHILE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS JAPANESE CHILDREN'S SONG WHILE GROWING
UP IN JAPAN AND TODAY, IN AMERICA, SINGS THEM TO HIS SMALL GRAND-
CHILDREN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): APOSTROPHE

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SONG

THE DAY IS SETTING WITH THE SUNSET
THE BELL OF THE MOUNTAIN TEMPLE IS RINGING.
HAND IN HAND WE GO HOME -
GO HOME WITH THE CROWS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CHILDREN'S SONG WHILE
GROWING UP IN JAPAN, AND TODAY, IN AMERICA, SINGS IT TO HIS SMALL
AMERICAN-BORN GRANDCHILDREN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Date learned: 07-05-1964

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SONG

SUNSHINE MAN, SUNSHINE MAN}
PLEASE MAKE IT A FINE DAY TOMORROW.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS CHILDREN'S SONG
WHILE GROWING UP IN JAPAN,
AND TODAY, IN AMERICA, SINGS IT TO HIS
SMALL AMERICAN-BORN GRANDCHILDREN.
WHENEVER CHILDREN ARE GOING ON EXCURSIONS, ETC.
IN JAPAN, THEY MAKE A PAPER DOLL OF "TERUTERU BOZU" (SUNSHINE MAN),
HANG IT ON THE BRANCHES OF ANY TREE,
AND CHANT THE ABOVE SONG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Date learned: 07-05-1964

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SONG

ROCK, SWORD, PAPER.
AIKO DE SHO.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS REFRAIN
WHILE GROWING UP IN JAPAN
AND TEACHES HIS AMERICAN-BORN GRANDCHILDREN THIS SONGGAME.
USING ONE HAND ONLY,
A GROUP OF CHILDREN SING THE ABOVE SONG,
AND AT A GIVEN TIME,
AND ALL AT ONCE,
FORM WITH THEIR HAND
A "ROCK," "SWORD," (SHAPE OF A "V"), OR "PAPER" (PALM HELD FLAT).
ONE BY ONE THE PLAYERS ARE ELIMINATED ACCORDING TO THE FORMULA:
"ROCK" CRUSHES "SWORD"; "PAPER" ENFOLDS "SWORD";
"SWORD" CUTS "PAPER".

Data entry tech comment: WOULDN'T PAPER ENFOLD ROCK? COLLECTOR SAYS SWORD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Date learned: 07-05-1964

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