Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest Update: October 2, 2024
In the years that I've been collecting playground rhymes I've only come across a few rhymes that include references to mp3s, cell phones, HDTV, or computers. Most of the examples that I've found are updated versions of "Mama Mama Can't You See", a playground rhyme that has its source in the Marine Corp cadence with the same name.
Latest Update: October 2, 2024
In the years that I've been collecting playground rhymes I've only come across a few rhymes that include references to mp3s, cell phones, HDTV, or computers. Most of the examples that I've found are updated versions of "Mama Mama Can't You See", a playground rhyme that has its source in the Marine Corp cadence with the same name.
This pancocojams post presents some examples of that rhyme which includes one of those references to modern technical devices or modern technological appliances (Those lines in these rhymes are given in italics to highlight them.)
The content of this post is presented for cultural and recreational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and recreational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Thanks to all those who have sent in examples of these rhymes. I've added some of these examples to this post, but I've decided not to continue to update this post with additional text only examples that commenters have shared.
Please read the comment section below for more examples of these rhymes. Also, click the "mama mama can't you see" tag given below for more examples of that rhyme.
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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
While cell phones and computers are still generally understood terms, here are definitions for the references "Mp3s" and "HDTV":
Here's an online excerpt that provides information about Mp3:
From https://techterms.com/definition/mp3 [retrieved Ju.y 6. 2021]
"MP3= Stands for "MPEG Audio Layer-3." MP3 is a compressed audio file format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). A typical MP3 file sounds similar to the original recording, but requires significantly less disk space. MP3 files are often about one tenth the size of an uncompressed WAVE or AIFF file, which have the same audio quality as a CD.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_television
"High-definition television (HDTV or HD) describes a television system providing an image resolution of substantially higher resolution than the previous generation of technology. The term has been used since 1936,[1] but in modern times refers to the generation following standard-definition television (SDTV), often abbreviated to HDTV. It is the current standard video format used in most broadcasts: terrestrial broadcast television, cable television, satellite television, Blu-ray discs, and streaming video."
****
RHYMES THAT MENTION MP3
Example #1:
Mama mama can't you see,
What the army done to me.
They took away my favorite toys,
Now I'm playin' with boys.
They took away my MP3,
Now I'm watching Barney.
They took away my favorite jeans,
Now I'm wearin' army greens.
I saw a lady chewin' gum,
I asked her if i could have some.
She looked at me like I was dumb,
That's when I said
See my pinky
See my thumb
See my fist
You betta run!
-Dot Ramirez. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhIXn5dauvk, August 22, 2007 [transcription by Azizi Powell]
-snip-
Most of the playground rhyme examples that I've found to date that include a reference to some modern technical device are from this same YouTube viewer comment thread. Here's a comment from that same thread about this change:
"they took away my mp3... wow in my day it was they took away my MTV"
-AriWonder 2009
**
Example #2
Mama, Mama, Can't you see?
What this baby done to me
He took away my MP3
Now I'm stuck watching Barney
Oops, Barney's Dead
Shot in the head
In the corner
In my bed
-SoullessCynner, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbtLU2x0FzE, Dec 11, 2011
-snip-
As per her or his comments, this video features the publisher's eight year old cousin who learned this rhyme in school. [WARNING: This publisher's summary statement includes profanity].
-snip-
This example is a clearer reflection of the theme of the beginning portion of that rhyme. The person reciting the rhyme has a baby brother or baby sister and therefore has to watch the pre-school children's show "Barney" instead of listening to Pop or R&B music on her MP3 player. Previously, that line was "I used to watch MTV [or "BET"], television stations that used to predominately feature Pop and/or R&B music videos. Even earlier versions of this rhyme include the line "I used to play with toys/now I play with boys".
**
Example #3
Our mama mama go like mama mama can’t you see what the army done to me ? They took away my favorite toys now I’m watching stupid boys, I saw a lady chewing gum💁🏽♀️ I asked her can I have some ? She looked at me like I was dumb so I shot her with my Bebe gun pow pow fist fist boy you take a look at this you see my pinky you see my thumb you see my fist you better run😂😂 part 2 goes like mama mama can’t you see what the army done to me they took away my mp3 & abcs now I’m watching Barney oops Barney’s dead , I shot him in the heaaaad under my bedddd eating cornbreadddd , don’t stop till yo hands get red( then you keep go crazy & keep doing the shake till yo hands get tired)
-
Example #4
Thanks to all those who have sent in examples of these rhymes. I've added some of these examples to this post, but I've decided not to continue to update this post with additional text only examples that commenters have shared.
Please read the comment section below for more examples of these rhymes. Also, click the "mama mama can't you see" tag given below for more examples of that rhyme.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
While cell phones and computers are still generally understood terms, here are definitions for the references "Mp3s" and "HDTV":
Here's an online excerpt that provides information about Mp3:
From https://techterms.com/definition/mp3 [retrieved Ju.y 6. 2021]
"MP3= Stands for "MPEG Audio Layer-3." MP3 is a compressed audio file format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). A typical MP3 file sounds similar to the original recording, but requires significantly less disk space. MP3 files are often about one tenth the size of an uncompressed WAVE or AIFF file, which have the same audio quality as a CD.
While MP3s are still prevalent on the Internet, other file
formats are now also used for audio compression. Advanced Audio Coding (AAC),
for example, is used for songs on Apple's iTunes Store."
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note (July 6, 2021_: The terms "MP3" and "Ipod" are rarely used in everyday conversation in the USA. The fact that almost all cell phones can play music (from certain song lists) has resulted in Ipods being obsolete. Other ways of compressing audio probably resulted in Mp3s being obsolete.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_television
"High-definition television (HDTV or HD) describes a television system providing an image resolution of substantially higher resolution than the previous generation of technology. The term has been used since 1936,[1] but in modern times refers to the generation following standard-definition television (SDTV), often abbreviated to HDTV. It is the current standard video format used in most broadcasts: terrestrial broadcast television, cable television, satellite television, Blu-ray discs, and streaming video."
****
RHYMES THAT MENTION MP3
Example #1:
Mama mama can't you see,
What the army done to me.
They took away my favorite toys,
Now I'm playin' with boys.
They took away my MP3,
Now I'm watching Barney.
They took away my favorite jeans,
Now I'm wearin' army greens.
I saw a lady chewin' gum,
I asked her if i could have some.
She looked at me like I was dumb,
That's when I said
See my pinky
See my thumb
See my fist
You betta run!
-Dot Ramirez. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhIXn5dauvk, August 22, 2007 [transcription by Azizi Powell]
-snip-
Most of the playground rhyme examples that I've found to date that include a reference to some modern technical device are from this same YouTube viewer comment thread. Here's a comment from that same thread about this change:
"they took away my mp3... wow in my day it was they took away my MTV"
-AriWonder 2009
**
Example #2
Mama, Mama, Can't you see?
What this baby done to me
He took away my MP3
Now I'm stuck watching Barney
Oops, Barney's Dead
Shot in the head
In the corner
In my bed
-SoullessCynner, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbtLU2x0FzE, Dec 11, 2011
-snip-
As per her or his comments, this video features the publisher's eight year old cousin who learned this rhyme in school. [WARNING: This publisher's summary statement includes profanity].
-snip-
This example is a clearer reflection of the theme of the beginning portion of that rhyme. The person reciting the rhyme has a baby brother or baby sister and therefore has to watch the pre-school children's show "Barney" instead of listening to Pop or R&B music on her MP3 player. Previously, that line was "I used to watch MTV [or "BET"], television stations that used to predominately feature Pop and/or R&B music videos. Even earlier versions of this rhyme include the line "I used to play with toys/now I play with boys".
**
Example #3
Our mama mama go like mama mama can’t you see what the army done to me ? They took away my favorite toys now I’m watching stupid boys, I saw a lady chewing gum💁🏽♀️ I asked her can I have some ? She looked at me like I was dumb so I shot her with my Bebe gun pow pow fist fist boy you take a look at this you see my pinky you see my thumb you see my fist you better run😂😂 part 2 goes like mama mama can’t you see what the army done to me they took away my mp3 & abcs now I’m watching Barney oops Barney’s dead , I shot him in the heaaaad under my bedddd eating cornbreadddd , don’t stop till yo hands get red( then you keep go crazy & keep doing the shake till yo hands get tired)
-
****
Example #4
momma momma cant you see what theese people done to me, they
took away my MP3 now im stuck with dumb barney, i saw a lady with some gum, i
asked her if i could have some, she looked at me like i was dukb, so i took out
my dumb baby gun, BOOM BOOM FIST FIST BOOM FIST TAKE A LOOK AT THIS
-CatMessivk, June 30, 2012, https://discover.hubpages.com/games-hobbies/Recess-is-BACK-Hand-Clapping-Games
Example #4
Mama, Mama, cant you see
Look what daddy's done to me
He took away my MP3
Now I'm watching Barney
Went to the doctor and the doctor said
Don't stop playing till your hands get red
- RAiNfAll » 2021-01-01https://forum.unilang.org/viewtopic.php?t=39100 [clapping game]
RHYMES THAT MENTION CELL PHONES
Example #1:
"this is my version mama mama cant you see what the baby done to he took away my water jug now i cant go fill it up!!! took away my mtv now i cant watch bet. took away my miny skirt now i cant go out to flirt!! took away my cell phone now i cant go call home!!! dont stop till your hands get hot!!!!"
- webkinzgirl18245,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhIXn5dauvk, 2010
**
Example #2:
this is how i sing it
Hollywood Hollywood
Hollywood go swinging
Hollywood go swinging
my name is (Ur name) on the my cell
with my apple bottoms on
if you see me in the club
boy you better speak to me
uh she think she bad:
B.A.D i know I'm bad
uh she think she cool:
coolest girl in (whatever one Ur in elementary, middle etc)
uh she think she:
fine fine fine #8
take your man up on a date
bring him home
bring him back
he best have my Cadillac
he bought me 1
he bought me 2
he married me
divorced you
bang bang choochoo train
come on girl lets do our thing
(other person) i cant
(you) why not
(other person) because i cant
(you) why not
(other person) because my back is ache-ing
and my bra is to tight
and my booty shaking
from the left to the right left right left right
-ID1122325703, [second example given on that page*] http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_words_to_the_Hollywood_hand_clapping_game, retrieved on September 20, 2010
-snip-
*This example was written in paragraph style with very little punctuation. It is reformatted here to enhance its reading clarity.
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A RHYME THAT MENTIONS COMPUTERS
it goes mama cant u see what the baby did to me took away my mtv now in watching barney tic tac to 3 in a row barney got shot by a gei go mama called the docter and the docter said opps barneys dead got shot in the head were is his body in the bed were are his leggs walin through the mall were are his armstypin on the coputer then you hit the other person in the HEAD
-nommiesmomi, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhIXn5dauvk, 2009
****
A RHYME THAT MENTIONS HDTV
Mama mama can't you see,what this baby don to me, she broke my HDTV,now I'm watching dumb Barney,Barney got shot by g.i.goe.
Lizzie Green, ,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhIXn5dauvk, 2013
-snip-
"HDTV" = "high definition television"
****
RHYMES THAT MENTION VCRs*
'NKOSI SIKELI; iAFRICA
Thabo Mbeki promised us a VCR
When we went to fetch it, all he said
Was voetsek, and never come back'
- http://salma-gundi.blogspot.com/2008/01/skinny-malinky-long-legs-big-banana.html
"Skinny Malinky Long-Legs, Big Banana Feet, and other priceless South African playground rhymes and skipping songs"
-snip-
"VCR" is "an abbreviation for videocassette recorder.
"a machine that can record pictures and sounds from a television onto videotape, and on which videotapes can be played" - https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/vcr
**
MY MAMA DON'T WEAR NO SOCKS
"A song about socks
This song has various verses that do not go in any particular order. Anyone can jump in and start a verse (with "my momma don't wear no socks", everyone else responds "a ding dong"), and the verses can include the ones we sang here, others in the lyrics, and anything else you can come up with!
LYRICS:
Chorus:
A ding dong, dong dong dong
A ding, dong dong, dong dong, a ding dong
Verse:
My momma don't wear no socks
(a ding dong)
I was there when she took 'em off!
(a ding dong)
[line]
(a ding dong)
[line]
Possible verses:
-She threw them under the bed, now we know why the Boogeyman's dead!
-She threw them in outer space, wiped out a whole alien race!
-She threw them at the wall, now the bugs refuse to crawl!
-She threw them in the sky, now the birds refuse to fly!
-She threw them at the tree, now the dogs refuse to pee!
-She threw them in the Atlantic, now we know what sank the Titanic!
-She threw them in the shower, now the shower needs Lysol power!
-She threw them in the VCR, now the VCR needs CPR!
-She threw them under the covers, now she don't get no lovers!
-She threw them in the sky, now Superman refuses to fly!
-She threw them at the wall, now Spiderman refuses to crawl!
-She threw them in the room, now it's called the Temple of Doom
-GirlScoutSongs, Published on Apr 3, 2013; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgZfXtiTcj0, My Momma Don't Wear No Socks - Girl Scout Song with Lyrics
-snip-
This video features four young (White) women singing this song. The lyrics for the song are in the video's summary. "My Momma Don't Wear Bo Socks" is a version of African American taunting rhymes entitled "Yo Mama Don't Wear No Drawers". "Drawers" here means "panties" (underpants).
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A RHYME THAT MENTIONS COMPUTER GAMES
Monchichi, monchichi I can see somebody (do seeing motion with your hand) Monchichi, monchichi I can do karate (do hand chopping moting on your arm) Monchichi, monchichi I can play Atari (do joystick playing motion with hands) Monchichi, monchichi - oops! (push someone on there forehead) I'm sorry
-http://www.inthe80s.com/rhymes.shtml
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Viewer comment are welcome.
Mine was
ReplyDelete"Mama mama can't you see?! What the baby's done to me! Took away my MTV, now I'm watching Barney! Barney got shot by the G.I Joe and the baby sucked my toes! Went to the doctor and the doctor said do it til your hands get red!!
Hello, Unknown October 15, 2018 at 10:39 PM
DeleteThanks for sharing your example with pancocojams.
I've never seen or heard the "baby sucked my toes!/Went to the doctor and the doctor said/do it til your hands get red!!" part of that rhyme before.
Best wishes!
Mine was :
DeleteMama mama can't you see
what this baby done to me
took away my mp3
now i'm watching dumb barney
barney got shot by G.I Joe
tictac toe 3 in a row
please don't stop to your hands get red and if you stop you pee in the bed.
Thanks for sharing that example, Anonymous.
DeleteI appreciate it!!
Funny
ReplyDeleteLol
Thanks for your comment, Unknown.
DeleteI'm on the look-out for more examples of hand clap rhymes that mention Mp3s, cell phones, HDTV, & computers. Hopefully, additional examples will be added to this collection soon.
My version was
ReplyDeleteMama mama can't you see
What the army did to me
They took away my Mp3
Now I'm watching Barney
Oops Barney's dead
Shot him in the head
Eating cornbread
Under my bed
Don't stop till your hands get hot
Anonymous, thanks for sharing your version of "Mama Mama Can't You See".
DeleteThis is the first time that I've read (or heard) the lines "eating cornbread/under my bed" in that rhyme.
My version was:
ReplyDeleteMama mama can't you see,
What this baby has done to me,
He took away my Mp3
Now I'm watching dumb barney,
Oops Barneys dea-d,
What happened to his body?,
I flushed it down the potty,
Tic-tac toe, three in a row,
Dont stop till your hands get red.
Unknown, thanks for sharing that version of "Mama Mama Can't You See".
DeleteYou wrote that this was the version you chanted. It would be great if you would share when (what decade) you chanted this.
I also wonder if you and/or other people reading this hear kids chanting this rhyme (or other versions of this rhyme) nowadays (in 2019).
Thanks again!
Mine was
ReplyDeleteMama mama can’t you see
What that baby’s done to me
Took away my mp3
Now I’m watching Barney
Tic tac toe 3 in a row
Barney got shot by G.I Joe
Barney went to Pizza Hut
Stuck that pizza up his butt
Twiaie urban, thanks for sharing your version of "Mama Mama Can't You See".
DeleteI've added it to this collection of examples that mention mp3s or cell phones. computers etc.
Also, I think this is the first time that I've "heard" the references to Pizza Hut and pizza in "Mama Mama Can't You See" rhymes.
This what I remember playing with an older girl in my old neighborhood when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteMama mama, can't you see?
What this baby done to me.
Took away my MP3.
Now I'm watching Barney.
Barney got shot by the FBI.
Now he's missing one eye.
I visited my mama out of town.
She was popping bubblegum.
I asked her can I have some.
She looked at me like I was dumb.
I visited my dad downtown.
He was smoking cigarettes.
I asked him can I have some.
He looked at me like I was dumb.
I went to the doctor and the doctor said.
Don't stop til your hands get red.
Then you clap until you can't no more. I don't know where she learned this from, lol. But whenever we hand clap at recess, I would listen to the other girls versions and then chant mines and everytime I would get a shocked reaction. I would call it the bad verison bc of the cigarette part.
Thanks, Anonymous, for adding your version of "Mama Mama Can't You See" to this collection of children's rhymes.
DeleteMy guess is that most of the verses that have lines which begin with "I visited" and ends with "out of town" or "downtown" are adaptations of the "I Went Downtown To See Charlie Brown".
The "Don't stop to your hands get red" ending is found in several other contemporary children's hand clap rhymes.
I've come across the "he [or she] looked to me like I was dumb (rhyming with "have some") in some other contemporary hand clap rhymes, but can't remember which ones right now.
Thanks again for sharing this example and the reactions you got to it!
I didnt even realize there were different versions of this! Here's the one I always heard growing up:
ReplyDeleteMama mama cant you see?
What this baby's done to me
Took away my MP3
Now I'm watching dumb Barney
Tic tac toe three in a row
Barney got shot by GI Joe
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said
Feed that baby some cornbread
Don't stop til' your hands get red
Anonymous, thanks for sharing the version of "Mama Mama Can't You See". I appreciate it!
DeleteI've never come across the "Mama called the doctor and the doctor said/Feed that baby some cornbread" lines before.
Where [city/state] and when [decade] do you remember this rhyme and was it a hand clap rhyme or jump rope rhyme?
my version is
ReplyDeletemama mama cant you see
look what the baby did to me
he took away my MP3
now i'm watching barney
barney got shot by the GI joe
i heard it on the radio
tic tac toe 3 in a row
how fast can you go
don't stop till your hands get hot
Anonymous, thanks for your version of "Mama Mama Can't You See".
DeleteI'm glad to add it to this collection.
growing up, our version was shorter and pretty dark now that I reflect on it as an adult. It goes:
ReplyDeletemama mama cant you see
what the army did to me
they took away my favorite toys
now im playing with stupid boys
they took away my favorite jeans
now im wearing army greens
I saw a lady chewing gum
I asked her if I could have some
She looked at me like I was dumb
so i shot her with my BB gun
pow pow
fist fist
ooo take a look at this
pow pow
fist fist
ooo take a look at this
At the pow and fist part we would hit our fist against our other palm and then pretend to hit each other. I was literally thinking about this in the morning wondering what the heck brought on the words and started looking around the internet for some sort of clue.
Thanks for sharing your memories of this version of "Mama Mama Can't You See" Unknown.
DeleteI'm happy you added it on this blog although it doesn't mention mp3, cell phones, HDTV, or a computer. For the folkloric record, would you please share where (city state) and when (decade such as 1990s) you chanted that rhyme and whether it was mostly a two person hand clap rhyme or jump rope rhyme etc. (Thanks for the info about hitting your fist on that "pow pow/fist fist etc part of the rhyme.)
Btw, I just searched this blog and realized that I don't have a post that's dedicated only to children's examples of "mama mama can't you see" versions that don't refer to those electronic devices. There are two video examples and a few word only examples of children's versions of "Mama Mama Can't You See" in this pancocojams post http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/mama-mama-cant-you-see-usmc-cadence.html. And there's a few examples of the rhyme on another blog that I started: http://cocojams2.blogspot.com/2014/10/hand-clap-jump-rope-rhymes-m-n.html.
So, thanks to you, I'm going to publish a stand alone pancocojams page for children's versions of "Mama Mama Can't You See" that don't mention mp3s, cell phones, computers, or HDTV.
I'll add that link to this post.
Thanks again for spurring me to correct that collection gap, Unknown!
Here's the pancocojams post that I referred to in my last comment: https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/08/childrens-examples-of-mama-mama-cant.html Children's Examples Of "Mama Mama Can't You See" (without mps, cell phones, computers, or HDYV)
DeleteHere's another version of the "Mama Mama Can't You See" rhyme that mentions mp3s (Part II)
ReplyDeleteAleisa Tv, June 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zEcsIfe6lU&t=7s 90s Hand Games
3 months ago (edited)
Our mama mama go like mama mama can’t you see what the army done to me ? They took away my favorite toys now I’m watching stupid boys, I saw a lady chewing gum💁🏽♀ I asked her can I have some ? She looked at me like I was dumb so I shot her with my Bebe gun pow pow fist fist boy you take a look at this you see my pinky you see my thumb you see my fist you better run😂😂 part 2 goes like mama mama can’t you see what the army done to me they took away my mp3 & abcs now I’m watching Barney oops Barney’s dead , I shot him in the heaaaad under my bedddd eating cornbreadddd , don’t stop till yo hands get red( then you keep go crazy & keep doing the shake till yo hands get tired)"
Mama, can't you see
ReplyDeleteWhat the baby done to me
Took away my Mp3
Now I'm watching dumb Barney
Tic Tac Toe, three in a row
Barney got shot by G.I. Joe
Oops daisy, Barney's dead
Now it's time to go to bed
Don't stop until you're hands are red
*Mama mama, can't you see
DeleteThanks for sharing your example, Unknown.
DeleteHere's that version with your correction:
Mama,mama can't you see
What the baby done to me
Took away my Mp3
Now I'm watching dumb Barney
Tic Tac Toe, three in a row
Barney got shot by G.I. Joe
Oops daisy, Barney's dead
Now it's time to go to bed
Don't stop until you're hands are red
-snip-
I wonder if "Oops daisy" was "oopsie daisy".
Here's an article about that term: https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/word-history-upsy-daisy-oopsie-whoops-upsidaisy-definition.
Thanks again for sharing your example, Unknown!
Here's an example of a recreational rhyme that mentions "texting" (sending messages with your cell phone)
ReplyDeleteI'll write the line with text in italics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-NKrzvqz_I&t=270s&ab_channel=Geneas
Gaming with Bri, 2020
"Me and my friends be doing it like this-
That’s the way auhh auhh I like it auhh auhh that’s the way auhh auhh I like it auh auh rainfall water fall girl u think u know it all I do u don’t I do u don’t so boom with ur attitude boom boom with ur attitude boom with ur additude
And we do this
See my pinky see my thumb see my fist u Better run holdup wait come back u needa tic tac not one not two but the whole six pack sorry to be mean but u need some Listerine now a sip now a cup now a sip now a cup"
REPLY
Pixie Queens, 2020
"Omg that’s how we did it! But at the end we go “See my pinky see my thumb, seen my fist you better run, call me, text me, and ✌️ peace”"
The version I grew up with went like this:
ReplyDeleteMama mama can't you see
What this baby done to me
She took away my MTV
Now I'm watching dumb Barney
Tic-Tac-Toe three in a row
Barney got shot by Gi-I-Joe
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said
"Sorry kids Barney's dead"
I saw this lady with some gum
I asked her if I could have some
She looked at me like I was dumb
So I shot her with my B.B Gun
Pow Pow, Fist Fist, Ooh take a look at this
See my pinky, see my thumb, see my fist you betta run
If you stop you will get popped
All the way to the candy shop
Thanks for sharing your version of that rhyme, Unknown.
DeleteIt doesn't include any references to mp3, cell phones etc, and therefore I took the liberty of adding it to the discussion thread of this pancocojams post https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/08/childrens-examples-of-mama-mama-cant.html "Children's Examples Of "Mama Mama Can't You See" (without mps, cell phones, computers, or HDTV)"
Thanks again!
The one we sang growing up was
ReplyDeleteMama mama can’t you see what this baby’s done to me
Toll away my MTV now I’m watching Barney
Barney got shot by GI Jo now he’s missing a pinky toe
Thanks, Caitlin Shaddock for this example.
DeleteFor some reason, I'm just seeing this comment.
I've added it to the pancocojams post "Children's Examples Of "Mama Mama Can't You See" (without mps, cell phones, computers, or HDTV)".
Mine was
ReplyDeleteMama Mama cant you see?
look what baby' done to me
took away my mini skirt
now i can go out to flirt
asked my boyfriend for some gum
looked at me like i was dumb
Thanks, Kit Penny for this example.
DeleteI've added it to the pancocojams post "Children's Examples Of "Mama Mama Can't You See" (without mps, cell phones, computers, or HDTV)".
Best wishes!!
Mine was
ReplyDeleteMama Mama can't you see
what this baby done to me
she took away my MP3
now i'm watchin barney
tic tac toe 3 in a row
mama got shot by G.I. Joe
I pledge allegiance to the flag
Micheal Jackson is my dad
I saw this lady with some gum
I asked her if I could have some
She looked at me like I was dumb
So I shot her with my B.B Gun
Pow Pow, Fist Fist,
Ooh take a look at this
See my pinky,
see my thumb,
see my fist you betta run
If you stop you will get popped
All the way to the candy shop
Hi. Unknown (July 5, 2021 at 8:43 PM).
DeleteThanks for sharing your example of "Mama Mama Can't You See".
I love how there are so many examples of these rhymes. And some of the lines (such as the "see my pinky/see my thumb/see my fist/you better run" are real old. (I remember chanting that rhyme in the late 1950s in Atlantic City, Ne Jersey).
Best wishes!
My version goes like "mama can't you see what the army did to me they took away my favorite toy now I have to play with boys I went downtown to see my mom she was chewing bubble gum I asked her can I have a piece she looked at me like I was dumb I went downtown to see my dad he was looking pretty sad" then I forgot the rest because it's been years since bi played it
ReplyDeleteHello, Unknown.
DeleteI've come across some of those lines in other versions of "Mama Mama, can't you see", but not the "I went downtown to see my dad he was looking pretty sad" part.
Thanks for adding it to this collection of that rhyme.
This example actually should be added to this pancocojams post: "Mama Mama Can't You See" - Military Cadence & Children's Hand clap Rhyme" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/mama-mama-cant-you-see-usmc-cadence.html since it doesn't include any references to mp3, cell phones, computers, or VCRs.
DeleteActually, that example should have been added to the pancocojams post about "Mama Mama Can't You See" rhymes that don't include references to mp3 etc.
DeleteHere's a comment about the rhyme "Mama Mama Can't You See" from one of the few YouTube discussion threads for children's hand clap rhymes that still is active (because the two people demonstrating the hand games are young women and not children.)
ReplyDeleteZakiyah Hunt, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zEcsIfe6lU&ab_channel=Geneas 90s hands games!!!!
"I thought it was took away my mp3😭 and i thought it was
Barney got shot by gio now its on the radio"
I think mine varied a lot from these given by others. I grew up in South Jersey, just next to Philly. Turns out, this version is... very violent.
ReplyDeleteMama can't you see
What this lady done to me
She took away my MP3
Now I'm watching Barney
Oops, Barney's dead
Shot in the head
tick tack toe
Three in a row
Barney got shot by GI Joe
Don't stop till your hands get red
[and then we sing the next part while doing the hand game until we mess up]
I love you
You love me
Let's get together and kill Barney
with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you
I'll slap Barney and you'll slap too
Thanks, Anonymous for sharing your version of "Mama Mama Can't You See" that mentions MP3s.
DeleteThere's lots of "oop's Barney's dead" and "Barney got shot by GI Joe" lines in several children's recreational rhymes, but I hadn't come across the parody of Barney the purple dinosaur's theme song before.
Barney & Friends television series aired nationwide in the USA from 1992 to 2009. My guess is that the Barney hand clap games begun shortly after that television series begun.
Btw, I grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey and I'm trying to guess which of the South Jersey cities near Philadelphia, PA you grew up in. ;o)
Mines was
ReplyDeleteMama can't you see
What the baby done to me
Took away my mtv
Now I'm watching dumb barney
Tic tac toe three in a row
Oops barney's dead, shot in the head
Barney got shot by G.I Joe
Anonymous June 25, 2022, thanks for sharing your version of "Mama Mama Can't You See".
DeleteThis example actually should be added to this pancocojams post: "Mama Mama Can't You See" - Military Cadence & Children's Hand clap Rhyme" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/mama-mama-cant-you-see-usmc-cadence.html since it doesn't include any references to mp3, cell phones, computers, or VCRs.
This was the version that was used around my school and neighborhood in late 2000s early 2010s.
ReplyDeleteMama mama can’t you see.
What the baby’s done to me.
Took away my mp3.
Now I’m watching dumb Barney.
Oops Barney’s dead.
Shot in the head.
Barney got shot by GI Joe.
Tic tac toe 3 in a row.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor says.
Now don’t stop till your hands get red.
Anonymous, thanks for sharing that version with us.
DeleteI appreciate it.
Here's another example of this rhyme that I came across from
ReplyDeletehttps://hobbylark.com/party-games/Recess-is-BACK-Hand-Clapping-Games
"momma momma cant you see what theese people done to me, they took away my MP3 now im stuck with dumb barney, i saw a lady with some gum, i asked her if i could have some, she looked at me like i was dukb, so i took out my dumb baby gun, BOOM BOOM FIST FIST BOOM FIST TAKE A LOOK AT THIS"
-CatMessivk, June 30, 2012: