The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Spider in the Spout

A teensie-weensie spider went up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Up came the sun and dried up all the rain.
The teensie-weensie spider went up the spout again.

Submitter comment:

This song, which includes gestures, is very traditional. It seems to be a standard song which kindergarten age children take to heart.

During line one a spider is imitated by placing the tips of the forefingers against the thumbs, and then walking the fingers around each other. Line two is demonstrated by bringing the hands up in front and then pushing them down to one side in imitation of water rushing through a spout. Line three is deminstrated by bringing the arms together over the head in a big circle from their original position at the sides. Line four is demonstrated in the same manner as line one.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT