Five nursery rhymes to teach children before they are forgotten April 14, 2017/in Books, Children's Books, Grandchildren /by juliet Long before radio, TV and the internet, we used to amuse our children and grandchildren with nursery rhymes. Though many popular ditties are still taught in nursery and primary schools, here are our favourite five that we’d like to see stand the test of time. 1. Five Little ducks Easy to remember and a great way to help little ones count using their fingers. Five little ducks Went out one day Over the hills and far away Mother duck said “Quack, quack, quack, quack” But only four little ducks came back. Four little ducks Went out one day Over the hills and far away Mother duck said “Quack, quack, quack, quack.” But only three little ducks came back. Three little ducks Went out one day Over the hills and far away Mother duck said “Quack, quack, quack, quack.” But only two little ducks came back. Two little ducks Went out one day Over the hills and far away Mother duck said “Quack, quack, quack, quack.” But only one little duck came back. One little duck Went out one day Over the hills and far away Mother duck said “Quack, quack, quack, quack.” But none of the five little ducks came back. Sad mother duck Went out one day Over the hills and far away The sad mother duck said “Quack, quack, quack.” And all of the five little ducks came back 2. Horsey, horsey This one is great to sing while bouncing your grandchild on your knee so they can really feel the ‘clippety clop’ of the horse’s hooves. Add in some tail swishing and rolling wheels actions for extra fun. Horsey horsey don’t you stop Just let your feet go clippety-clop Your tail goes swish and the wheels go round Giddy up, we’re homeward bound. We`re not in a hustle, we`re not in a bustle Don’t go tearing up the road We`re not in a hurry, we`re not in a flurry And we don`t have a very heavy load. Horsey horsey don’t you stop Just let your feet go clippety clop Your tail goes swish and the wheels go round Giddy up, we’re homeward bound. 3. I hear thunder Sung to the tune of Frère Jacques, this is a sweet little rhyme that can brighten up a grey day and take the fear out of thunder for younger children that might get upset by it. I hear thunder! I hear thunder! Hark don’t you, hark don’t you? Pitter, patter raindrops, Pitter patter raindrops, I’m wet through and so are you! 4. Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross Said to be about Queen Elizabeth I, this short nursery rhyme has just about fallen off the radar. Help it to last another generation by teaching it to your grandkids. Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross To see a fine lady upon a white horse With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes She shall have music wherever she goes. 5. Lavender’s Blue This rhyme dates back over 350 years and was probably sung by your great-great-great-great grandparents! It came back into popularity in the late 1950s when Sammy Turner performed a rock ‘n’ roll version. You can listen to that here. Lavender’s blue, dilly, dilly (or diddle, diddle) Lavender’s green When l am King, dilly, dilly You shall be Queen! Call up your men, dilly, dilly Set them to work Some to the plough, dilly, dilly And some to the pond. Some to make hay, dilly, dilly Some to cut corn While you and I, dilly, dilly Keep ourselves warm. If your favourite is here, or if there are others that you have in your repertoire, make sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren to give them lasting memories. Stories, recipes and skills are the best gifts that can last a lifetime. https://www.askgranny.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Reading-nursery-rhyme-together-1.jpg 366 658 juliet https://www.askgranny.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/juliet-logo-3.png juliet2017-04-14 12:23:552021-03-10 21:29:26Five nursery rhymes to teach children before they are forgotten