The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HA DA UME BOO ESAM
HA DA LABISS EL KATHOM
HA DA TOOL EL LA THULIE
HA DA LICK KATH EL IREE
HA DA IT TEEL EL MUMLIE
HA DA ZENK EL ES WAA RA
HA DA COO E SULEE
HA DA USHL EL US TOORA

THIS IS THE FINGER WITHOUT A NAME (BABY)
THIS ONE WEARS A RING
THIS ONE IS LONG FOR NOTHING
THIS ONE LICKS THE PAN
THIS ONE KILLS THE ANTS
THIS ONE WEARS A BRACELET (WRIST)
THIS ONE CARRIES THE BASKET
THIS ONE THE BIRDS NEXT IN.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A LEBANESE RHYME WHICH DEFINES ALL THE FINGERS ON THE HAND (THUMB INCLUDED), THE WRIST, THE ELBOW JOINT, AND TH SHOULDER JOINT. MOTHERS OFTEN USE THIS RHYME WHEN TEACHING THEIR CHILDREN THE NAMES AND FUNCTIONS OF THESE CERTAIN BODY PARTS. TRANSLATED IT WOULD BE:

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT