Baby BumbleBee is a traditional nursery rhyme and a gesture-play song, sharing the same tune with “The Arkansas Traveler” written in 1947 by the Arkansas State Song Selection Committee, the state song. There are several other songs associated with this tune.
There is a different version of Baby BumbleBee more popular in Australia. There is a mimic action associated with lyrics of each version.
Baby BumbleBee Lyrics
I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me,
I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Ouch! He stung me!
I’m squishing up a baby bumblebee,
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me,
I’m squishing up a baby bumblebee,
Eww! He’s gooey!
I’m lickin’ up a baby bumble bee
Won’t my Mommy be so proud of me
I’m lickin’ up my baby bumble bee
Mmm! He’s yummy!
Baby BumbleBee Game
On the first line hold your hand together like keeping something small, and open up your hand as you say “Ouch!”.
On the verse “I’m squishing up a baby bumblebee” mimic rubbings your hands as squishing something, then when saying “Eww!” mimic a disgusted face by sticking out your tongue.
Pretend your licking you hands on “I’m lickin’ up a baby bumble bee” and on the last line rub your tommy saying “Mmm! He’s yummy!”
Baby BumbleBee Australian Version
I’ve got myself a baby bumblebee,
Won’t my mummy be so proud of me?
I’ve got myself a baby bumblebee,
Ouch! He stung me!
I’m squashing up my baby bumblebee,
Won’t my mummy be so proud of me?
I’m squashing up my baby bumblebee,
Oh no, it’s all over my hands!
I’m lickin’ up my baby bumble bee
Won’t my mummy be so proud of me?
I’m lickin’ up my baby bumble bee
Oh no, I feel sick…
I’m throwing up my baby bumble bee,
Won’t my mummy be so proud of me?
I’m throwing up my baby bumble bee,
Oh no, it’s all over the floor!*
I’m mopping up my baby bumble bee,
Won’t my mummy be so proud of me?
I’m mopping up my baby bumble bee,
Oh look! A butterfly!
Baby BumbleBee Game for Australian Version
On the first verse mimic holding something small in your hands
On the second verse rub your hands together like squashing something
On the third verse mimic licking your hands.
On the fourth verse mimic throwing up.
And, on the fifth verse pretend to mop the floor.