The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Hand clapping rhyme played by African-American children

Ms Suzie had a baby,
she named him Tiny Tim.
She put him in the bathtub
to see is he could swim.
He drank up all the water,
and ate up all the soap.
He tried to eat the bathtub,
but it wouldn't go down his throat.
Ms. Suzie called the doctor,
Ms. Suzie called the nurse.
Ms. Suzie called the lady with the alligator purse.
The doctor said the measles,
the nurse said the mumps.
The lady with the alligator purse said pizza.
Ms. Suzie slapped the doctor,
Ms. Suzie punched the nurse
Ms. Suzie thanked the lady with the alligator purse.

Submitter comment: Hand claps accompany this rhyme. Rhythm is a very
important part of the game.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; children in the community

Date learned: 00-00-1989