"Where Is Thumbkin" is an English-language nursery rhyme, action song, and children's song of American origin.[1] The song is sung to the tune of "Frère Jacques". The song and actions have long been used in children's play, and in teaching in nursery, pre-school and kindergarten settings, as it uses simple and repetitive phrases, and tactile, visual and aural signals.[2][3]
| Where Is Thumbkin | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| Genre | Children's song |
| Language | English |
| Composed | Unknown |
| Published | United States |
Lyrics
editThe song's most common lyrics are:
Where is thumbkin?
Where is thumbkin?
Here I am!
Here I am!
How are you today sir?
Very well I thank you!
Run AWAY!
Run AWAY!
Where is pointer?
Where is pointer?
Here I am!
Here I am!
How are you today sir?
Very well I thank you!
Run AWAY!
Run AWAY!
Where is tallman?
Where is tallman?
Here I am!
Here I am!
How are you today sir?
Very well I thank you!
Run AWAY!
Run AWAY!
Where is ringman?
Where is ringman?
Here I am!
Here I am!
How are you today sir?
Very well I thank you!
Run AWAY!
Run AWAY!
Where is pinky?
Where is pinky?
Here I am!
Here I am!
How are you today sir?
Very well I thank you!
Run AWAY!
Run AWAY!
Actions
editOne action is performed for each line of the song.
Child holds hands behind back and sings.
Brings one hand to front and sings.
Brings other hand to front and sings.
Wiggles first thumb and sings.
Wiggles second thumb and sings.
Moves first hand back behind back and sings.
Moves second hand back behind back and sings.
See also
editFurther reading
edit- Untiedt, Kenneth L. (2005). Untiedt, Kenneth L. (ed.). Inside the classroom (and out): how we learn through folklore. Publications of the Texas Folklore Society. Denton, TX: University of North Texas Press. pp. 31–32. ISBN 978-1-57441-202-4. Retrieved 2024-02-16 – via Project Muse.
References
edit- ^ "Where is Thumbkin? – USA". Mama Lisa's World of Children and International Culture.
- ^ Lyons, Mary Frances (1937). "Teaching Good Usage in the Kindergarten". The Elementary English Review. 14 (3): 96–100. JSTOR 41380934 – via JSTOR.
- ^ Welsch, Roger (1966). "Nebraska Finger Games". Western Folklore. 25 (3): 173–194. doi:10.2307/1498819. JSTOR 1498819 – via JSTOR.
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