Oliver Twist, Twist, Twist, you can't to this, this, this, touch his, etc.īotkin, B. Oliver Twist, twist, youcan't do this, this, touch his knee, knee, touch his toe, toe, clap his hand, hand and over we go, go. Oliver Twist you can't do this, touch his knee, touch his toe, clap his hand and over we go. Hickety tickety (Choksy 1991: 196)Ī tisket, a tasket (Choksy 1991: 197 Erdei & Komlos 1974: 4) I'm the king of the castle (Choksy 1991: 196) Star light, star bright (Choksy 1991: 192)Ĭlap your hands (Choksy 1991: 192) That was ironic because they were the ones who taught me the song.īlue bells (Choksy 1991: 190, 1981: 211)

Parents complained because I was teaching the children a song from a slasher film. I printed out copies of the song and passed them out to the children. I learned the song from the third graders in a class where I was student teaching. Wherever children make do with improvised play space, may these songs and rhymes continue to be chanted and the games played.The song is from a 1984 horror movie, so discretion is advised. They sang, danced and played intricate clapping games with great gusto. I learned many of the songs and games in this collection from the children in my school. Chances are your local variety of play chants is being sung and clapped to or used as accompaniments to bouncing balls and jump ropes. To tune in on whatís happening, join the children on the playground or sidewalk, and listen. 'A world of rhythm and melody may be going on right in your neighborhood. This is a wonderful resource of all elementary teachers. She has preserved them in the written notation exactly as she heard the children play them. Maureen has researched and collected all of these wonderful activities both as a historian and as a music educator. These pieces come directly from children on the playground. This brand new edition has been revised and edited to present classic children’s songs, games, jump rope chants, and clapping games. This classic collection from Maureen Kennedy was first published in 1974. Play Chants & Singing Games of City Children collected by Maureen Kennedy

Circle Round the Zero by Maureen Kenney