The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

The Ants Go Marching

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching one by one, the last one stops to pick up a gun,
And they all join in to go down, in the ground, and come out in the rain. Bum, bum, bum.

Oh, the ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah.
Oh, the ants go marching two by two, the last one stops to tie his shoe,
And they all join in to go down, in the ground, and come out in the rain. Bum, bum, bum.

Oh, the ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah.
Oh, the ants go marching three by three, the last one stops to climb a tree,
And they all join in to go down, in the ground, and come out in the rain. Bum, bum, bum.

Oh, the ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah.
Oh, the ants go marching four by four, the last one stops to shut the door,
And they all join in to go down, in the ground, and come out in the rain. Bum, bum, bum.

Oh, the ants go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah.
Oh, the ants go marching five by five, the last one stops to take a dive,
And they all join in to go down, in the ground, and come out in the rain. Bum, bum, bum.

Oh, the ants go marching six by six, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching six by six, hurrah, hurrah.
Oh, the ants go marching six by six, the last one stops to pick up sticks,
And they all join in to go down, in the ground, and come out in the rain. Bum, bum, bum.

Oh, the ants go marching seven by seven, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching seven by seven, hurrah, hurrah.
Oh, the ants go marching seven by seven, the last one stops to fly to heaven,
And they all join in to go down, in the ground, and come out in the rain. Bum, bum, bum.

Oh, the ants go marching eight by eight, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching eight by eight, hurrah, hurrah.
Oh, the ants go marching eight by eight, the last one stops to shut the gate,
And they all join in to go down, in the ground, and come out in the rain. Bum, bum, bum.

Oh, the ants go marching nine by nine, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching nine by nine, hurrah, hurrah.
Oh, the ants go marching nine by nine, the last one stops to pick up a dime,
And they all join in to go down, in the ground, and come out in the rain. Bum, bum, bum.

Oh, the ants go marching ten by ten, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching ten by ten, hurrah, hurrah.
Oh, the ants go marching ten by ten, the last one stops to
Start again!

Submitter comment:

Tune: "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS