Latest Revision - September 21, 2025
This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on children' rhymes that begin with the lyrics "Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay" or include those lyrics in that rhyme, and also use the tune of the 1891 vaudeville and music hall song entitled "Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay".
This post showcases excerpts of several online articles about the reasons why children chant anti-social and "rude" rhymes/songs.
Part II also showcases selected examples of "sexualized" ("dirty") examples of "Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay" children's rhymes.
WARNING: These examples may be considered unsuitable for children.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/07/examples-of-ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay.html for Part I of this two part pancocojams series. Part I showcases some examples of "clean" (not sexualized) parodies of "Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay" children's rhymes.
WARNING: These examples may be considered unsuitable for children.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/07/examples-of-ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay.html for Part I of this two part pancocojams series. Part I showcases some examples of "clean" (not sexualized) parodies of "Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay" children's rhymes.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, socio-cultural, and recreational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/09/recreation-rhymes-as-part-of-girls.html for the September 2025 pancocojams post "Some Recreation Rhymes Are Part Of Girls' Sexual Education: More Examples Of Sexualized ("Dirty") Versions Of "Ta Ra Ra Boom De Aye" ("We Are The ___ Girls")"
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EXAMPLES OF "TA RA RA BOOM DE AY" ("WE ARE THE ___ GIRLS" CHILDREN'S RHYMES ("DIRTY" VERSIONS)
These examples are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
DISCLAIMER: This is not meant to be a comprehensive compilation of these rhymes.
Example #1
.
I grew up in Western Massachusetts and remember learning the following version in the late 1960's
Ta-ra-ra- boom de-ay
How did I get this way
It was the boy next door
He laid me on the floor
He lifted up my skirt
And gave a little squirt
And right before my eyes
I say my belly rise.
-Tinker, 28 Aug 09, http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=123101, hereafter known as "Mudcat discussion "We Wear Our Hair In Curls"
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Example #2.
we are the great meols girls
we wear our hair in curls
we wear our dungarees
down to our sexy knees.
sha la la bum-shi-ka
sha la la bum-shi-ka
you know the boy next door
he got me on the floor
he counted 1 2 3
and stuck it into me
sha la la bum-shi-ka
sha la la bum-shi-ka
then some other stuff about being pregnant and stuff...
i dunno...i forget. was an awesome song though.
sha la la bum-shi-ka
sha la la bum-shi-ka
okay, now i really can't remember any more...
*edit*
my daddy was suprised
to see my belly rise
my mummy jumped for joy, it was a baby boy
Note: A number of females and a few males (around the same age group) on this British forum indicated that they remembered this rhyme, and posted slightly different versions of it.
-quoted by Azizi Powell, 23 Aug 09 on "Mudcat discussion: We Wear Our Hair In Curls", from -Niamh; 18-03-2007, Location: Near Liverpool, Age: 19 on http://board.muse.mu/showthread.php?t=41853 [This discussion site no longer available]
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Example #3.
TAH RAH RAH BOOM DI AY
Tah rah rah bom di ay
I can't come out today
It happened yesterday
The boy across the way
He paid me fifty cents
To go behind the fence
He said it wouldn't hurt
And pushed it up my skirt
My mommy was surprised
To see my belly rise
And hear the baby cry
Tah rah rah bom di ay
-http://mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=5648
-snip-
No demographic information is given with this example.
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Example #4.
I learned one from my dad, who probably learned it in Toronto, circa 1958.
Tra la la boom de yay
Did you have yours today?
I had mine yesterday
That's why I walk this way!
I always thought it was supposed to be about inoculations, but I never actually asked my dad.
-Merav Hoffman December 9, 2009, comment in discussion of http://playgroundjungle.com/2009/12/ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay.html
I grew up in Western Massachusetts and remember learning the following version in the late 1960's
Ta-ra-ra- boom de-ay
How did I get this way
It was the boy next door
He laid me on the floor
He lifted up my skirt
And gave a little squirt
And right before my eyes
I say my belly rise.
-Tinker, 28 Aug 09, http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=123101, hereafter known as "Mudcat discussion "We Wear Our Hair In Curls"
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Example #2.
we are the great meols girls
we wear our hair in curls
we wear our dungarees
down to our sexy knees.
sha la la bum-shi-ka
sha la la bum-shi-ka
you know the boy next door
he got me on the floor
he counted 1 2 3
and stuck it into me
sha la la bum-shi-ka
sha la la bum-shi-ka
then some other stuff about being pregnant and stuff...
i dunno...i forget. was an awesome song though.
sha la la bum-shi-ka
sha la la bum-shi-ka
okay, now i really can't remember any more...
*edit*
my daddy was suprised
to see my belly rise
my mummy jumped for joy, it was a baby boy
Note: A number of females and a few males (around the same age group) on this British forum indicated that they remembered this rhyme, and posted slightly different versions of it.
-quoted by Azizi Powell, 23 Aug 09 on "Mudcat discussion: We Wear Our Hair In Curls", from -Niamh; 18-03-2007, Location: Near Liverpool, Age: 19 on http://board.muse.mu/showthread.php?t=41853 [This discussion site no longer available]
****
Example #3.
TAH RAH RAH BOOM DI AY
Tah rah rah bom di ay
I can't come out today
It happened yesterday
The boy across the way
He paid me fifty cents
To go behind the fence
He said it wouldn't hurt
And pushed it up my skirt
My mommy was surprised
To see my belly rise
And hear the baby cry
Tah rah rah bom di ay
-http://mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=5648
-snip-
No demographic information is given with this example.
****
Example #4.
I learned one from my dad, who probably learned it in Toronto, circa 1958.
Tra la la boom de yay
Did you have yours today?
I had mine yesterday
That's why I walk this way!
I always thought it was supposed to be about inoculations, but I never actually asked my dad.
-Merav Hoffman December 9, 2009, comment in discussion of http://playgroundjungle.com/2009/12/ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay.html
"Ta ra ra boom de ay", by thor: Adam Selzer December 7, 2009 (with 74 comments as of July 25, 2017), hereafter given as "playground jungle" article, 2009".
-snip-
I initially included this example in Part I of this series. However, I think that this version has sexual connotations even when this is the entire rhyme. However, that sexualized connotation is "spelled out" in longer versions of this example, as shown below.
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Example #5.
Mom used to have a little diddy from her school years (Seattle, early 1950's) but cannot remember the last verse… it was:
Tra la la la boom de ay
Have you had yours today?
I had mine yesterday
Thats why I walk this way
He laid me on the couch
All I said was ouch……
Then there were two more lines but she cannot remember them!!! Anyone else know this version?
-Anonymous, October 10, 2011, comment in article "playground jungle" article, 2009
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[Reply]
Example #6.
Tra la la boom de ay
have you had yours today
I had mine yesterday
that's why I feel this way
he laid me on the couch
and all I said was ouch
now junior's on the way
tra la la boom de ay
-Anonymous, November 17, 2011, (Bakersfield, CA 1957), comment in article "playground jungle" article, 2009
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Example #7.
-snip-
I initially included this example in Part I of this series. However, I think that this version has sexual connotations even when this is the entire rhyme. However, that sexualized connotation is "spelled out" in longer versions of this example, as shown below.
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Example #5.
Mom used to have a little diddy from her school years (Seattle, early 1950's) but cannot remember the last verse… it was:
Tra la la la boom de ay
Have you had yours today?
I had mine yesterday
Thats why I walk this way
He laid me on the couch
All I said was ouch……
Then there were two more lines but she cannot remember them!!! Anyone else know this version?
-Anonymous, October 10, 2011, comment in article "playground jungle" article, 2009
****
[Reply]
Example #6.
Tra la la boom de ay
have you had yours today
I had mine yesterday
that's why I feel this way
he laid me on the couch
and all I said was ouch
now junior's on the way
tra la la boom de ay
-Anonymous, November 17, 2011, (Bakersfield, CA 1957), comment in article "playground jungle" article, 2009
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Example #7.
Tra la la boom de ay
Did you get yours today?
I got mine yesterday
From the boy across the way
He gave me fifty cents
To go behind the fence
He pulled my panties down
And threw me on the ground
My mommy was surprised
To see my belly rise.
I can't go out to play
'Cause Junior's on the way.
-Anonymous, March 30, 2012, comment in article "playground jungle" article, 2009
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Example #8.
I heard this version in Elmhurst, Queens, circa 1946. I learned it from a friend and sang it to my mother, who was not amused.
Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay
Did you get yours today?
I got mine yesterday,
from a boy across the way.
My mother was surprised
to see my stomach rise.
Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay, Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay.
-Anita Gorman, February 12, 2013, comment in article "playground jungle" article, 2009
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor: "1946" is the earliest date that I've found for "Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay" children's rhymes , whether they are clean or dirty. I have found other examples dated in the mid to late 1950s. I wonder if this is a typo and the commenter meant to write "1956".
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Example #9.
from late 50s early 60s MT
ta da da boom de eh
how did I get this way
it was the boy next door
he laid me on the floor
then to my surprise
my tummy began to rise
I remember still how hard
how hard my mommy cried
-la March 17, 2013, comment in article "playground jungle" article, 2009
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Example #10.
Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay
Have you had yours today?
I had mine yesterday
A girl upon the way
I laid her on the couch
And all she said was ouch!
Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay
Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay
- Choti Giri March 27, 2014, comment in article "playground jungle" article, 2009
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Example #11
.
1970s-early 80s metro Boston area:
Tra la la boom de ay
How did I get this way?
It was the boy next door
He pushed me on the floor
He shouted 1 2 3
He stuck it into me
My mother was surprised
To see my belly rise
My father jumped for joy
It was a baby boy!
The baby boy part was always said with a sweet little, cutesy turn of voice. Children celebrating rape – what a world
-naydi April 11, 2014, comment in article "playground jungle" article, 2009
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Example #12.
My friends and I grew up outside of Chicago in the early 1960's and we would sing it with these lyrics:
Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay
Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay
Did you do yours today?
I did mine yesterday
I paid her fifty cents
To walk across the fence
She laid down on the couch
I shoved mine up her pouch
Her mother was surprised
To see her belly rise
Her dad was overjoyed
It was a baby boy
I have to admit that back then and at that age, the song didn't make much sense to me, but we boys all sang it anyway. It's interesting how many similar yet different versions there are… all local colloquialisms, I suppose. I wonder where the original "got her pregnant" version was started.
-AWG, Chicago area September 29, 2015,comment in article "playground jungle" article, 2009
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Example #13
.
New York City – LA LA LA Boom Shaday Can’t Come Outside Today What Happened Yesterday A Boy Came Past My Way He Gave Me Fifty Cents To Lay Across The Beach He Said It Didn’t Hurt He Pulled Up My Skirt My Mother Is So Thrilled To Hear Its A Baby Boy My Father’s So Disgusted To See My Cherry Busted LA LA LA Boom Shaday Can’t Come Outside Today
-May, November 11, 2016, comment in article "playground jungle" article, 2009
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This concludes Part II of this two part series on "Tra La La Boom De Ay" Children's Rhymes.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Totally wonderful, this internet world...For no particular reason, I was hit with the impulse to go looking for the "He laid me on the couch/And all I said was Ouch..." version--thank you, Azizi!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Columnella.
DeleteI know what you mean. It's amazing what you can find on the internet. :o)
oh man, for some reason this popped into my head today, I'm so glad I found this! at my school in Texas we sang it:
ReplyDeletetra la la boom de ay
I met a boy today
He paid me 50 cents
to go behind the fence
my mommy was surprised
to see my tummy rise
my daddy jumped for joy
'my god, it's a baby boy!'
I never understood why dad would be so excited lol
Anonymous, thanks for sharing your memory of this rhyme and thanks for including what state you lived in when you learned it.
DeleteI hear you that the father's reaction is kinda off given how the baby was conceived. But I think the rhyme reflects the fact that in the USA some fathers prefer boys to girls, particularly for their first born child and/or first born grandchild.
Best wishes!
Hi! Wow, this is really awesome, this song popped into my head today, I remember it from school, probably around the year 2000 when I was 12ish, and I'm from the UK! South England! The one I remember goes something like this: We are the (name of your school) girls, we wear our hair in curls, and we wear dungarees to show our sexy knees, I met a boy today, he gave me 50p, to go behind a tree and have it off with me, we went behind a tree, he lifted up my skirt, he counted 1 2 3 and stuck it into me, my mummy was surprised to see my belly rise, my daddy jumped for joy it was a baby boy!
ReplyDeleteI mightve forgotten parts of it, but that's basically what I can remember! Wow, it's really crazy but so cool that this rhyme is familiar with people all over the world it seems! So interesting seeing all the variations!
Hi, Anonymous. Thanks for sharing your version of this rhyme and thanks for including demographic information.
DeleteI agree that it's cool to see how examples of children's recreational rhymes are found throughout the world. What is really cool is to document these examples before the internet and to suss out early examples of a particular rhymes and how those rhymes have changed within the same population over time and in different populations at the same time and over a period of time.
Best wishes!
This version from Pennsylvania in the mid-1960s:
ReplyDeleteTa ra ra boom de ay
How did she get that way?
It was the boy next door,
He laid her on the floor.
Her mommy was surprised
To see her tummy rise
And hear her baby's cries forevermore.
Thanks, Staxman for adding that example of dirty versions of "Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay" to this collection and thanks for remembering to add demographic information.
DeleteBest wishes!
I remember some of the girls from my primary school singing this:
ReplyDeleteWe are the Saint Charles's girls,
We wear our hair in curls,
We wear our dungarees down to our sexy knees.
Tarara boom de ay, our knickers flew away, they went to Italy, they came back yesterday.
Thanks for your comment, Anonymous. I appreciate it!
Delete