The Pinocchio Song

For Super Simple Songs 3, we wanted to do a non-secular version of Father Abraham that was easy for young kids to sing and relate to.  Father Abraham is a very fun kids' song I used to sing in Sunday school.  Throughout the song, you progressively add motions to your dance after each verse until, by the end of the song, every part of your body is moving.  Some people call it the  Christian Hokey Pokey (Here's a clip of some kids singing Father Abraham.) 

The lyrics go:

Father Abraham, had many sons.
Many sons had Father Abraham.
I am one of them.
And so are you.
So let's all praise the Lord
Right arm (or hand)
Repeat verse
Right arm.  Left arm.
Repeat verse.
Right arm.  Left arm.  Right leg.  Etc.

It's great fun, but the lyrics are pretty tough for very young learners.  We wanted to keep the fun and craziness of the dance, but simplify the lyrics.  We also wanted a character that children around the world could identify with.  So we made a new song called "The Pinocchio".   The lyrics go:

Everybody in.
Everybody out.
Everybody turn around.
Everybody shout.  (HEY!)
Everybody ready.  Here we go.
Let's do the Pinocchio.
Right arm.
Repeat verse.
Right arm.  Left arm.
Repeat verse. 
Right arm.  Left arm.  Right leg.  Etc.

The song has been a big hit with our students, and now we've gotten some great responses from all over.  Here's a video of some my students at Knock Knock English, as well as some videos from Daddy Ross Preschool in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Tiny Tots Japan in Tokyo, Japan; and MILK Engilsh in Seoul Korea.  Thanks to everyone for the videos!

Comments

[Luz Baranowski]

I love your page. I'm an asistant teacher for ELE and helps me a lotwith my little friends.
Thanks
Pat

[Karen]

I love all your songs!!! I use them in almost every class! Great job!!! And thanks!!!