There are some suggestions that it started out as an English song, using the word “biscuit” but was changed to cookie when it crossed the Atlantic to American school children. However, those rumors haven’t been proven either way. 

The song lyrics are simple and repetitive but are perfect for playing a round-robin game. One person is nominated to be “it” during the first rendition of the song and when accused will say “Who, me?” The song continues with the next person playing the same role, and so on, until everyone has had a go at being accused.

Spoiler alert: you never do find out who took the cookies!

Who Took The Cookie From The Cookie Jar Lyrics

Who took the cookie from the cookie jar?
Number one took the cookie from the cookie jar!
Who me?
Yes, you!
Couldn’t be!
Then who took the cookie from the cookie jar?

Number two took the cookie from the cookie jar!
Who me?
Yes, you!
Couldn’t be!
Then who took the cookie from the cookie jar?

Number three took the cookie from the cookie jar!
Who me?
Yes, you!
Couldn’t be!
Then who took the cookie from the cookie jar?

Number four took the cookie from the cookie jar!
Who me?
Yes, you!
Couldn’t be!
Then who took the cookie from the cookie jar?

Number five took the cookie from the cookie jar!
And I ate it all up!
Ha, ha!

How to Play Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish

All the kids in the group will put two fists out while one designated player will move inside the circle tapping the fists of the other kids in the group while singing the song. When the song reaches the verse “How many pieces do you wish”, the player whose hand was tapped will say a number, generally not bigger than 10 (larger groups of kids may say a number greater than 10). 

After this the countdown begins. The kid in the middle of the circle will count clockwise the fists in the circle to the number indicated by the previous player and that fist will be “out”. When both fists of a player are “out” the player is out completely. The game continues until one fist is left.

Alternatively if the number is lower, you won’t count fists but players.

“Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum In a Dish” Lyrics

Bubble gum, bubble gum, in a dish,
How many pieces do you wish?
Five.
One, two, three, four, five.
And you must go out.

“Five Little Snowmen” Lyrics

Five little snowmen standing in a line
One, Two, Three, Four, Five
So fine
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh
We’ll see you next year
Bye Bye!

Four little snowmen standing in a line
One, Two, Three, Four
So fine
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh
We’ll see you next year
Bye Bye!

Four little snowmen standing in a line
One, Two, Three, Four
So fine
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh
We’ll see you next year
Bye Bye!

Two little snowmen standing in a line
One, Two
So fine
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh.
We’ll see you next year
Bye Bye!

One little snowmen standing in a line
One
So fine
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh
We’ll see you next year
Bye Bye!

“Five Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree” Lyrics

FIVE little monkeys swinging from a tree
teasing Mr Crocodile
‘You can’t catch me!’
Along came Mr Crocodile
as quietly as can be
and snap! went the crocodile
Then there were…
FOUR little monkeys swinging from a tree
teasing Mr Crocodile
‘You can’t catch me!’
Along came Mr Crocodile
as quietly as can be
and snap! went the crocodile
Then there were…
THREE little monkeys swinging from a tree
teasing Mr Crocodile
‘You can’t catch me!’
Along came Mr Crocodile
as quietly as can be
and snap! went the crocodile
Then there were…
TWO little monkeys swinging from a tree
teasing Mr Crocodile
‘You can’t catch me!’
Along came Mr Crocodile
as quietly as can be
and snap! went the crocodile
Then there was…
ONE little monkey swinging from a tree
teasing Mr Crocodile
‘You can’t catch me!’
Along came Mr Crocodile
as quietly as can be
and snap! went the crocodile
Then there were…
NO little monkeys swinging from a tree…oh no!

As with most rhymes the origins of Hanky Panky are unclear but it most likely originated in the United States somewhere around the 19th century. In 1895, a similar rhyme was published in Virginia:

He came to the banks 
Of the Pasquotank, 
Where the bull-frogs jump 
From bank to bank….

Currently there are more versions of the rhyme in circulation and more playground games are performed while singing it, most notably a circle game and a counting game.

How to Play Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky

The right hand of each player sits under the palm of the person on the right while the left hand of each player rests on top of the hand of the player to the left. When the song starts a designated player will tap with their left hand the hand of the person sitting on the left and that person will tap as well another person’s hand at the next beat and the clap is passed along the circle until the song ends when someone’s hand is being clapped when saying “Kerplop”. Then, the person whose hand was touched during that beat is out and the song starts again until only one player remains.

Down by the Banks Counting Game

To play a counting game, replace the first two words of the second line (Where the) with a random number (for example 10) and count backwards. An example:

Down by the banks of the Hanky Panky, 
10 bullfrogs jump from bank to banky, 
With a hip, hop, hippity, hop, 
Leap off a lily pad and go KERPLOP! 
Down by the banks of the Hanky Panky, 
9 bullfrogs jump from bank to banky, 
With a hip, hop, hippity, hop, 
Leap off a lily pad and go KERPLOP! 

And so on. You can either choose to stop counting at “One” or when no bullfrogs jump anymore.

“Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky” Lyrics

Down by the banks of the Hanky Panky, 
Where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky, 
With a hip, hop, hippity, hop, 
Leap off a lily pad and go KERPLOP! 

“Five Little Pumpkins” Lyrics

Five little pumpkins
Sitting on a gate
The first one said,
“Oh, my, it’s getting late!”
The second one said,
“There are witches in the air!”
The third one said,
“But we don’t care!”
The fourth one said,
“Let’s run and run and run!”
The fifth one said,
“I’m ready for some fun!”
OOOOOOOH, went the wind
And OUT went the light (clap on “out”)
And the five little pumpkins
Rolled out of sight.

“The Ants Go Marching” Gesture Play

When sung in larger groups such as kindergartens or camps, the lyrics are often accompanied by actions that can be performed alongside.

During the first verse, children will march on the spot while holding up as many fingers as the number of ants that go marching. When the ant stops marching the children will stop marching as well and place the finger(s) in front of them. When the ants go down, children will bend their knees and get smaller. During the last verse, children will jump and sing “boom boom boom” loudly.

“The Ants Go Marching” Lyrics

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching one by one,
The little one stops to suck his thumb.
And they all go marching down,
To the ground, to get out of the rain.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

…two…tie her shoe…
…three….climb a tree…
…four…shut the door…
…five…take a dive…
…six…pick up sticks…
…seven…pray to heaven…
…eight…check the gate…
…nine…check the time…
…ten…say “The End!”

To make the song more interactive, kids can show the number of fingers on their hand with each new verse. Each time they sing “So, go, Alice, go” kids can pretend running while during the last line “Boom, boom, boom, boom” they can jump as high as loud as they can.

“Alice The Camel” Lyrics

Alice the camel has five humps.
Alice the camel has five humps.
Alice the camel has five humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has four humps.
Alice the camel has four humps.
Alice the camel has four humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has three humps.
Alice the camel has three humps.
Alice the camel has three humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has two humps.
Alice the camel has two humps.
Alice the camel has two humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has one hump.
Alice the camel has one hump.
Alice the camel has one hump.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Alice the camel has no humps.
Alice the camel has no humps.
Alice the camel has no humps.
‘Cause Alice is a horse, of course!

Game Instructions

Whenever the “zoom, zoom, zoom” part starts, hands are rubbed together while rocking them up in the air.

Next, players will pretend walking with their fingers while singing “If you want to take a trip, Climb abord my rocking ship”.

During the countdown, players will hold 5 fingers up and count down. “Blast Off!” is usually sang louder and kids may jump or start running.

“Zoom Zoom, We’re Going to the Moon” Lyrics

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
We’re going to the moon.
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
We’re going to the moon.
If you want to take a trip,
Climb aboard my rocket ship.
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
We’re going to the moon.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
Blast off!

Game Instructions

Hold your fists in front of you and stack them on top of each other starting with “one potato”, then move the lower fist on top of the upper fist along “two potatoes”. Continue doing this until “seven potatoes”. At the end of the song, when “more” is sung, open both hands vigurously and shout “more”.

“One Potato Two Potato” Lyrics

One potato two potatoes
Three potatoes, four!
Five potatoes, six potatoes
Seven potatoes, more!

Alternative Lyrics

One potato, two potatoes, three potatoes – four
Five potatoes, six potatoes, seven potatoes – more
Eight potatoes, nine potatoes, ten potatoes – all

There is also a finger play associated with the song. At first the parent holds five fingers out, then waves the ducks goodbye (when they swim away), then makes motions signalling a chatter when the duck quacks and finally holds up four fingers when only four ducks come back. The finger play is then repeated for all verses with the appropriate number of fingers.

“Five Little Ducks”Lyrics

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.

(Repeat counting down to “but no little ducks came back.”)
Sad mother duck went out one day, over the hills and far away
Mother Duck said, “Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack,” and five little ducks came back.

Similar with Ten Green Bottles this song is an easy way for kids to learn to count down.

“Ten In The Bed” Singing Game

In kindergarten children can play a simple game on this song by mimicking the lyrics. Lying on the bed or standing all the kids will roll over in the same direction and on each verse one of them will fall down on the floor. The song can start with the number of available children.

It is also a lullaby, a favorite way to get the little ones to sleep. The last verse ends with either “Good Night” or “”Good Bye” or Alone at last” and other variations, depending on when it is sung.

“Ten In The Bed” Lyrics

There were ten in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over and
one fell out

There were nine in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out

There were eight in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over and one fell out

There were seven in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over and one fell out

There were six in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over and one fell out

There were five in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over and one fell out

There were four in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over and one fell out

There were three in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over and one fell out

There were two in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over and one fell out

There was one in the bed
And the little one said,
“Alone at last!”
“Good Night!”

Five Little Monkeys Finger Play

The song has an associated fingerplay, each verse being represented by an action. First the number of the monkeys left jumping on the bed is shown, followed by a hand falling and tapping one’s head (signifying a bump in the head). This is followed by a hand gesture mimicking a telephone call (calling the doctor) and wagging the finger during the last part (No more monkeys jumping on the bed).

“Five Little Monkeys” Lyrics

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell down and bumped his head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell down and bumped his head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

Three little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell down and bumped her head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

Two little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell down and bumped his head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

One little monkey jumping on the bed,
She fell down and bumped her head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
Put those monkeys back to bed!

“Five Little Monkeys” Video

The song was collected and published in 1937 by the nursery rhymes collector Anne Gilchrist in “Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society”, as she remembered it from her Welsh nurse from the 1870s.

Some years before another version of the song was recorded in the “English Folk-Songs for Schools” collection published in 1906 by the Cecil Sharp and Sabine Baring-Gould.

“This Old Man” Lyrics

This old man, he played one,
He played knick-knack on my thumb;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played two,
He played knick-knack on my shoe;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played three,
He played knick-knack on my knee;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played four,
He played knick-knack on my door;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played five,
He played knick-knack on my hive;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played six,
He played knick-knack on my sticks;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played seven,
He played knick-knack up in heaven;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played eight,
He played knick-knack on my gate;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played nine,
He played knick-knack on my spine;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

This old man, he played ten,
He played knick-knack once again;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.

The orginal version of this rhyme “Ten Little Injuns” dates back to 1868 and was published by irish songwriter Septimus Winner for minstrel show. Bellow there are both the old version and also de modern lyrics of the song.

“Ten Little Indians” Lyrics

Modern Version

Ten little Injuns standin’ in a line,
One toddled home and then there were nine;
Nine little Injuns swingin’ on a gate,
One tumbled off and then there were eight.
Eight little Injuns gayest under heav’n.
One went to sleep and then there were seven;
Seven little Injuns cuttin’ up their tricks,
One broke his neck and then there were six.
Six little Injuns all alive,
One kicked the bucket and then there were five;
Five little Injuns on a cellar door,
One tumbled in and then there were four.
Four little Injuns up on a spree,
One got fuddled and then there were three;
Three little Injuns out on a canoe,
One tumbled overboard and then there were two.
Two little Injuns foolin’ with a gun,
One shot t’other and then there was one;
One little Injun livin’ all alone,
He got married and then there were none.

“Ten Little Indians” Original Version

One little, two little, three little Indians
Four little, five little, six little Indians
Seven little, eight little, nine little Indians
Ten little Indian boys.
Ten little, nine little, eight little Indians
Seven little, six little, five little Indians
Four little, three little, two little Indians
One little Indian boy.

“Ten Green Bottles” singing game

Ten green bottles is an easy and fun way for kids to learn to count down. Here is how to play: 

Draw each number on separate cards, starting with the number 1 and ending with the number of children available to play, and hang them on each children so they all can see it.

The children will dance in a circle, holding hands singing the lyrics of the song. They will have to fall down one by one until all of them will lay down, each time they say the verse: “And if one green bottle should accidentally fall”. The children will have to point who is the one who will fall down, based on their numbers.

Later, after the kids know better how to count, the game can move to the next level: instead of drawing the cards, each child will have to memorize a number to know when it is their turn to fall down.

The word “hanging” is sometimes replaced by “sitting” or “standing”.

“Ten Green Bottles” Lyrics

Ten green bottles hanging on the wall,
Ten green bottles hanging on the wall,
And if one green bottle should accidentally fall,
There’ll be nine green bottles hanging on the wall.

Nine green bottles hanging on the wall,
Nine green bottles hanging on the wall,
And if one green bottle should accidentally fall,
There’ll be eight green bottles hanging on the wall.

Eight green bottles hanging on the wall,
Eight green bottles hanging on the wall,
And if one green bottle should accidentally fall,
There’ll be seven green bottles hanging on the wall.

Seven green bottles hanging on the wall,
Seven green bottles hanging on the wall,
And if one green bottle should accidentally fall,
There’ll be six green bottles hanging on the wall.

Six green bottles hanging on the wall,
Six green bottles hanging on the wall,
And if one green bottle should accidentally fall,
There’ll be five green bottles hanging on the wall.

Five green bottles hanging on the wall,
Five green bottles hanging on the wall,
And if one green bottle should accidentally fall,
There’ll be four green bottles hanging on the wall.

Four green bottles hanging on the wall,
Four green bottles hanging on the wall,
And if one green bottle should accidentally fall,
There’ll be three green bottles hanging on the wall.

Three green bottles hanging on the wall,
Three green bottles hanging on the wall,
And if one green bottle should accidentally fall,
There’ll be two green bottles hanging on the wall.

Two green bottles hanging on the wall,
Two green bottles hanging on the wall,
And if one green bottle should accidentally fall,
There’ll be one green bottles hanging on the wall.

One green bottles hanging on the wall,
One green bottles hanging on the wall,
And if one green bottle should accidentally fall,
There’ll be zero green hanging hanging on the wall.

Along with “One Two Buckle My Shoe” it is another great tool for parents and teachers to help the kids recognize and memorize the numbers.

The song dates back to the late 18th century being published in one of the oldest children songs books collection called “Mother Goose’s Melody” in the 1760s. A longer version of the song was published only later in the 1880s, by the American nursery rhymes collector Henry Bolton.

“1 2 3 4 5 Song” Lyrics

Modern version

One, two, three, four, five,
Once I caught a fish alive,
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
Then I let it go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on my right

“One Two Three Four and Five” Original lyrics

One, two, three,
Four and five,
I caught a hare alive;
Six, seven, eight,
Nine and ten,
I let him go again

It was heard for the first time around 1780 somewhere around Wrentham, Massachusetts. However the first published version of this traditional nursery rhyme is found in London in a children songs book called “Songs for the Nursery” that appeared in 1805. A different version of the song appears in 1810 in Gammer Gurton’ Garland aka “Nursery Parnassus”.

The main purpose of the song is to teach kids how to count. Originally the song might describe a regular day of lace-makers who were traditional workers back in the 17th and 18th centuries: 1, 2, buckle my shoe would mean that the workers are getting ready to work; 3, 4 shut the door – the workers are now in their workshop; 5, 6, pick up stick – getting their tools (wooden sticks were tools used at the lance-making machine in the past); 7, 8, lay them straight – fixing the sticks; 9, 10, a big fat hen – one possibility is that is describing a kind of support for the lacework (more like a pillow), or simply it refers at the dinner time as the song continues with references at kitchen and plates.

The lyrics may have much literal interpretation; the truth is that the original meaning of traditional songs like this can be lost back in time, and only suppositions can be made about their real symbols.

“One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” Lyrics

Modern version

One, two,
Buckle my shoe;
Three, four,
Knock at the door;
Five, six,
Pick up sticks;
Seven, eight,
Lay them straight:
Nine, ten,
A big fat hen;
Eleven, twelve,
Dig and delve;
Thirteen, fourteen,
Maids a-courting;
Fifteen, sixteen,
Maids in the kitchen;
Seventeen, eighteen,
Maids a-waiting
Nineteen, twenty,
My plate’s empty

“One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” Original lyrics

Thirteen, fourteen, draw the curtain,
Fifteen sixteen, the maid’s in the kitchen,
Seventeen, eighteen, she’s in waiting,
Nineteen, twenty, my stomach’s empty

Originally, the lyrics were associated with magpies which were bringing good or bad luck. It is said that depending on how many little magpies one sees a day, a blessed or an unhappy event will happen to him or her.

“One for Sorrow” is a counting song, therefore for each number of magpies seen on a day there is a prediction. Today it might also refer to some other similar birds, especially in some countries or regions where magpies cannot be easily spotted.

The lyrics of “One for Sorrow” have been changed over the times. The oldest known version of the song dates back to the late 18th century, and was found in a note by John Brand in Observations on Popular Antiquities, Lincolnshire, 1780. Later on, in the early 19th century it appears in a “Proverbs and Popular saying” book, collected from oral tradition and published by M. A. Denham, in 1846, London.

“One for Sorrow” Lyrics

Modern version

One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret,
Never to be told,
Eight for a wish,
Nine for a kiss
Ten for a bird
You must not miss.

“One for Sorrow” Original lyrics

One for sorrow,
Two for mirth,
Three for a wedding,
And four for death

There are no many evidences about its origins and author.

Similar with the “Ten Green Bottles” each verse of the song is repeated: one by one all little frogs jump in the pool until none remains. It is a very entertaining song for the kids and it is sometimes used in conjunction with swimming lessons.

“Five Little Speckled Frogs” Lyrics

Five little speckled frogs
FIVE little speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs
Yum Yum.

One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were FOUR speckled frogs (OR) Now there are how many frogs? FOUR!
Glug Glug.

FOUR little speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs
Yum Yum.

One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were THREE speckled frogs (OR) Now there are how many frogs? THREE!
Glug Glug.

THREE little speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs
Yum Yum.

One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were TWO speckled frogs (OR) Now there are how many frogs? TWO!
Glug Glug.

TWO little speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs
Yum Yum.

One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there was ONE speckled frog (OR) Now there are how many frogs? ONE!
Glug Glug.

ONE little speckled frog
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs
Yum Yum.

He jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were NO speckled frogs (OR) Now there are how many frogs? NONE!
Glug Glug.

It is very hard to establish the exact origin of the song as it has so many accepted forms, in different languages and countries. Whilst there are versions of the first line of this rhyme in both German and Cornish, the two middle lines, it is agreed, undoubtedly originated from America. “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe” is part of a large collection of Counting-out rhymes, used in playground games, since the early 19th century.

The rhyme is used to choose who is ‘it’ in children’s games.

“Eeny, Meeny” Singing Game

How to play:

The song is made up from a number of syllables, (the counting out rhyme). It starts with a group of nonsense syllables and ends with a phrase that will indicate the game’s goal. Each syllable counts a child from a circle, and the game round finishes with the last kid pointed out.

Bellow are the lyrics of one of the accepted modern versions of the “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe” rhyme and also an older version. You can replace “catch a tiger” with any word (catch a boy, catch girl, etc) or any animal,  or when singing to baby you can say “catch a baby”.

“Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe” Lyrics

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
Catch a tiger by the toe
If he hollers let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
My mother told me
To pick the very best one
And you are [not] it.

“Eena, meena, mina, mo” Older Version

Eena, meena, mina, mo,
Catch a mouse by the toe;
If he squeals let him go,
Eeena, meena, mina, mo.