Miss Lucy Had a Baby

Miss Lucy had a baby,

She named him Tiny Tim

She put him in the bathtub

To see if he could swim.

He drank up all the water,

He ate up all the soap,

He tried to eat the bathtub,

But it wouldn't go down his throat.

Miss Lucy called the Doctor,

Miss Lucy called the Nurse,

Miss Lucy called the lady

With the alligator purse.

Action:

Miss - clap own hands

Lu - clap right hand with partner

cy - clap own hands

had - clap left hand with partner

a - clap own hands

ba - clap partner's hands

by - clap own hands.

(pause) - clap own hands behind back

Repeat this sequence in rhythm until end of rhyme.

**************

A Sailor Went to Sea

A sailor went to sea, sea, sea, To see what he could see, see, see, But all that he could see, see, see, Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea.

Action:

A - clap own hands

sai - clap right hand with partner

lor - clap own hands

went - clap left hand with partner

to - clap own hands

sea, sea, sea - clap partner's hands three times

Repeat this sequence in rhythm until end of song.

Suggestion: On "sea, sea, sea" clap partner's hands, partners clap backs of hands, clap partner's hands.

****************

Playmate

Say, say oh playmate, come out and play with me, And bring your dollies three, climb up my apple tree, Cry down my rain barrel, slide down my cellar door, And we'll be jolly friends for ever more, more, more, more, more.

Action 1:

Begin on "play-" to do the following motions: slap knees, clap own hands, clap partner's hands, clap own hands. Repeat this sequence throughout the song.

Action 2: (for older children)

play - slap knees twice

mate - clap own hands twice

(rest) - clap partner's hands once

come - partners clap backs of hands together once

out - clap partner's hands once

and - clap own hands once

Repeat this sequence in rhythm throught the song.

*******************

Hambone

Hambone, Hambone, have you heard? Papa's gonna buy me a mockingbird. If that mockingbird don't sing, Papa's gonna buy me a diamond ring.

If that diamond ring don't shine, Papa's gonna buy me a fishing line.

Hambone, Hambone, where you been? Around the world and I'm going again.

Hambone, Hambone, where's your wife? In the kitchen cooking rice.

**This is a great one for a group of people as you clap independently.

Action:

Lines 1 & 2 - alternate clapping hands and knees

Lines 3 & 4 - alternate clapping hands and thighs

Lines 5 & 6 - alternate clapping hands and chest

Lines 7 & 8 - hands and shoulders

Lines 9 & 10 - hands and head

**************

Let's Go On a Bear Hunt

(Not technically a hand clapping game but a good time all the same! )

Children repeat lines following the leader.

Let's go on a bear hunt. [Tap hands on thighs like walking]

All right.

Let's go.

Oh lookie

I see a wheat field

Can't go around it.

Can't go under it.

Let's go through it.

All right

Let's go

Swish, swish, swish [Rub hands together, like swishing through wheat]

Oh lookie

I see a tree!

Can't go over it,

Can't go under it,

Let's go up it.

All right

Let's go. [ Pretend to climb a tree. When top is reached, place hand on forehead and look around. Climb down]

Oh lookie

I see a swamp!

Can't go around it,

Can't go under it

Let's swim through it. [Pretend to swim]

All right

Let's go

Oh lookie

I see a bridge!

Can't go around it

Can't go under it

Let's cross over it

All right

Let's go. [Make clicking sound with tongue and stamp feet]

Oh lookie

I see a cave!

Can't go around it,

Can't go under it

Let's go in it

All ri i ight...

L l let's go [Cup hands and make hollow sound when clapping together]

Golly - it's dark in here [ Say with suspenseful in voice]

Better use my flashlight

Doesn't work

I think - I see seomthing

It's big!

It's furry!

It's got a big nose!

I think - it's a bear!

IT IS A BEAR!

LET'S GO!!!

Repeat everything backwards and fast - Wipe brow - Make a big sigh of relief - "Whew! WE MADE IT!"