Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest Update: July 2022 [title change]
This pancocojams post presents an alphabetical
list of some English language children's recreational rhymes that mention
contagious diseases.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric and socio-cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES [Updated July 2022]
The contagious diseases that are included in these rhymes
are chicken pox, flu, measles, mumps, small pox, and whooping cough. As of July 2022 I haven't come across any examples of children's recreational rhymes that mention Aids. I also haven't come across any children's recreational rhymes that mention Covid-19. However, I included a parody of “Say
Say My Playmate” that a woman in a YouTube video indicated that she had composed. That example is given below as "Say Say My Playmate" Parody.
Almost all children's recreational rhymes have an infinite number of versions. This collection doesn't purport to include every version of the examples of rhymes that are included and the versions that are given in this collection may not be considered the "standard" and/or most popular versions of a particular recreational rhyme.
There are many other children's recreational rhymes that mention a person being sick, dying, or having died. There are also children's recreational rhymes that refer to a person having a "stomach ache". I didn't include any of those rhymes in this collection as I'm only focusing on examples of rhymes that actually name a contagious disease.
These examples are presented under the first letter of the title of the rhyme family. Only a few examples of rhymes from each rhyme family are given in this compilation. When more than one example is given of a particular rhyme, the multiple examples are presented to show some of the different versions of that rhyme .
Some examples in "rhyme families" have different titles. In that case, all of the examples from that rhyme family are given under the title that I believe is most commonly associated with that rhyme (at this time in the United States). An exception to this rule is the example of "Miss Lula Had A Baby" which is given with that title since the "Miss Lula" rhymes are the precursors of the "Miss Lucy Had A Baby" and "Miss Susie Had A Steamboat" rhymes.
The line that mentions the contagious disease or diseases is written in italics in each rhyme the first time it is given in each rhyme. This is done to highlight that line and doesn't mean that that line is emphasized when it is chanted.
The online or offline source is given after each example.
These rhymes are given without performance instructions or any explanatory notes from me.
This pancocojams blog usually focuses on examples of African American culture and other Black cultures around the world. However, pancocojams' children's rhymes posts are exceptions to that rule. Although the race of the composers of these rhymes doesn't determine whether these examples are included in this collection, I'm still interested in documenting (when it is noted), the race of those who contributed these examples and/or the race/s of those people who the contributors remember chanted these rhymes.
I'm interested in documenting other versions of these rhymes and other examples of children's rhymes that mention contagious diseases. Please add the version that you know in the comment section for this post. Please remember to include demographic information, particularly where (geographic location) and when (year or decade) that you remember first chanting or hearing this rhyme. Thanks in advance!
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CHILDREN'S RECREATIONAL RHYMES THAT MENTION CONTAGIOUS
DISEASES
A, B
****
C, D
****
E, F
****
G, H
****
I, J
I AM A PRETTY LITTLE DUTCH GIRL
I am a pretty little Dutch girl
As pretty as I can be
And all the boys
In the neighborhood
Are crazy over me
My boyfriend’s name is Patty
He comes from the Cincinnati
With 48 toes
And a pickle for a nose
And this is how my story goes
One day as I was walking,
I saw my boyfriend talking
To a pretty little girl
with a strawberry curl
and this is what he said to her
I L-O-V-E, love you
I'll K-I-S-S, kiss you
Then I pushed him in a lake
And he swallowed a snake
And ended up with a tummy ache
Dad called the doctor
Mum called the nurse
Sister called the lady with the alligator purse
In came the doctor
In came the nurse
In came the lady with the alligator purse
"Measles", said the doctor
"Chicken-pox", said the nurse
"Smallpox", said the lady with the alligator purse
Out went the doctor
Out went the nurse
Out went the lady with the alligator purse
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Little_Dutch_Girl
[retrieved 5/23/2010]
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K, L
****
M, N
ME MOTHER HAS GONE TO CHURCH (Example #1)
(Irish Kids' Chant)
Ahem! Ahem!
Me mother is gone to church.
She told me not to play with you
Because you're in the dirt.
It isn't because you're dirty,
It isn't because you're clean,
It's because you have the whoopin' cough
And eat margarine!
- http://www.mamalisa.com/?p=422&t=es&c=68
**
ME MOTHER HAS GONE TO CHURCH (Example #2)
"When I was wee we used to recite the following nursery rhyme (Christ knows how these things wash up on the shores of memory, but it just did!).
She told me not to play with you because you're in the dirt
It's not because you're dirty
It's not because you're clean
It's because you've got the whooping cough and eat margarine"
-snip-
Aidan Crossey, 06 Dec 01; http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=41824 "Nasty Nursery Rhymes"
****
ME MOTHER HAS GONE TO CHURCH (Example #3)
I believe the album is the Clancy children or the Clancy Brothers and children sing'
the poem is:
Ahem, Ahem, me mother's gone to church
She told me not to play with you, because your in the dirt.
'Tisn't because your dirty, 'Tisn't because your clean
Because you have the whoooping cough from eating margarine.
-srich, https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=20909, 29 November 09
MISS LULA HAD A BABY (Example #1)
Miss Lulu had a baby, she called him tiny Tim.
She put him in the bathtub, so see if he could swim.
He drank up all the water! He ate up all the soap!
He tried to swallow the bathtub, but it wouldn’t go down his throat!!
Call for the doctor!
Call for the nurse!
Call for the lady with the alligator purse!
“Mumps!” said the doctor. “Measles!” said the nurse.
“Vote!!” said the lady with the alligator purse!!
-DHughes, https://susanbanthonyhouse.org/blog/alligator-purse-rhyme/ "Alligator Purse Rhyme"
****
MISS LUCY HAD A BABY (Example #2)
Miss Lucy had a baby, She named him Tiny Tim, She put him in
the bathtub, To see if he could swim.
He drank up all the water, He ate up all the soap, He tried
to eat the bathtub, but it wouldn't go down his throat.
Miss Lucy called the doctor, Miss Lucy called the nurse, Miss Lucy called the lady with the alligator purse.
In walked the doctor, In walked the nurse, In walked the lady with the alligator purse.
Mumps said the doctor, Measles said the nurse, Nothing said the lady with the alligator purse.
- contributed by Mickey,
http://www.gameskidsplay.net/games/ClappingRythmsGames/miss_suzie.htm
MISS LUCY HAD A BABY (Example #3)
I grew up in a Catholic School playground in Brooklyn, in
the early 80's. THese were three very popular songs that I wanted to
share...enjoy!
Miss Lucy had a baby,
she named him Tiny Tim.
She put him in the bath tub,
to see if he could swim.
He drank up all the water,
he ate up all the soap,
he tried to eat the bath tub,
but it wouldn't go down his throat.
Miss Lucy called the Dr,
Miss Lucy called the nurse
Miss Lucy called the lady with the alligator purse.
Measles said the dr.
Mumps said the nurse,
_______ said the lady with the alligator purse.
Out walked the dr,
out walked the nurse
out walked the lady with the alligator purse.
- http://metachat.org/index.php/2008/04/26/ce_ce_my_playmate_come_out_and_play_with
****
MISS SUE FROM ALABAMA (Example #1)
Miss Sue
Miss Sue from Alabama
Hey you,
scooby do
your Mama's got the measles
Your papa's got the flu
magic measles
magic flu
Take an a b c d e f g
Take an h i j k l.m.n.o.p.
Take a smooth shot
Take a smooth shot
and now freeze.
-Eleanor Fulton, Pat Smith: Let's Slice The Ice,
(Magnamusic-Baton, 1978; St. Louis, Mo.; p 16)
MISS SUE FROM ALABAMA (Example #2)
Miss Sue, (clap, clap)
Miss Sue (clap, clap)
Miss Sue from Alabama,
Let's make a movie,
Sittin' in a rocker,
Eatin' Betty Crocker,
Hey wise girl,
Whatcha gonna do,
When your mama's at work,
Baby's got the flu,
Daddy's got the chicken pox,
And so do you?
Take an a b c d e f g,
Take an h i j k l m n o p,
Take a booty shot,
take a booty shot,
And FREEZE!!
-
****
MISS SUE FROM ALABAMA (Example #3)
one goes back and forth between the people playing the game;
I'll just use my name (Monica):
(both)Miss Sue, Miss Sue
Miss Sue from Alabama
Her real name is Susannah
(Boom chicka boom chicka boomboomboom)
Mommy's got the measles, Daddy's got the flu
I ain't lyin', nor are you.
(other person) Hey Monica!
(me) Who's callin' my name?
(other person) Hey Monica!
(me) Stop playin' my game!
(other person) Someone's on the telephone!
(me) If it ain't my baby tell 'em I ain't home!
(both) Sittin' in her rocker, eatin' peanut butter
Watchin' the clock go
Boom ticky wah wah boom tick tock
Boom ticky wah wah clock says stop!
-getoffmyskittle;
http://archive.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=38901&page=4
"Does anyone remember this?? (goofy kid-rhymes)" February 6th, 2006;
hand clap rhyme
**
MISS SUE FROM ALABAMA (Example #4)
Mis Sue from Alabama
Let's make a movie
Sitting in a rocking chair
Eating Betty Crocker
Watching the clock say
Tick Tock Boom Boom Banana
Tick Tock Boom Boom Banana
Hey white girl whatcha going to do
Momma got the measles Daddy got the flu
Give me a ABCDEFG HIJKLMNOP
Take a flue shot take a flu shot
and FREEZE
-Guest, Mom From Bama,
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=102055&messages=48,
"Folklore: Play Ground Hand Jives", May 2, 2008
**
MISS SUE FROM ALABAMA
Miss Sue from Alabama
They call her Suzianna
Sitting in a rocker
eating Betty Crocker
Watching the clock go
Tick tock a walla walla
Tick tock a walla walla
A-B-C-D-E-F-G
Wash that blue stuff off of me
Say Flu shot! Flu shot!
Turn all around and
FREEZE!
-Mimi Young, Published on Apr 9, 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGvXQd1CA3c&ab_channel=MimiYoung
"Miss Sue from Alabama goes wild!!"
**
MISS SUE FROM ALABAMA (Example #6)
miss sue miss sue miss sue from alabama jer real name
suseanna sittin In the rocking eatin popcorn watchin that clock go tick tock
boom boom bananas +2 hey little white girl what u gone do your momma got the
chicken pox ur daddy got the flu take a
A b c d e f g. H I J K L M N O P take a boooo shot take a
boo shot now FREEZE
-Makyia Ballentine,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-svfUMX3BM&t=1s [comment], 2014
**
MISS SUE FROM ALABAMA (Example #7)
I grew up in and around New Orleans. The first time I
remember this was second grade, 1973. It was a hand game song. Each person's
right hand hits down while left hand hits up. Then each person's right hand
hits up while left hand hits down. Then each person's hands hit in front of
them. (Additional hand moves in parentheses.)
All of this while singing:
Miss Sue, Miss Sue, Miss Sue from Alabama.
Hey little girl with the dippity doo,
Your momma's got the measles and your poppa does too.
They've got the A B C D E F G (make a circle around your
right temple like signalling that they are crazy)
They've got the H I J K LMN OP (make a circle around your
left temple like signalling that they are crazy)
They've got a booster shot... (Soft
Karate chop for each syllable on bent arm alternating above and below elbow)
They've got a booster shot... (Soft Karate chop for each
syllable on bent arm alternating above and below elbow)
They've got a booster shot... (Soft Karate chop for each
syllable on bent arm alternating above and below elbow)
And FREEZE. Both kids freeze first one to move loses. The
winning kid might karate chop or might punch the bicept the losing kids arm. My
friends and I usually just had bragging rights, ah, you moved, I won.
So that's our version. I spent all of second grade in
Terrytown Elementary School.
- Lawyer
Assistant, December 21, 2019, http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/folk-processing-childrens-rhyme-miss.html "Some
Folk Processed Versions Of The Children's Rhyme "Miss Sue From
Alabama" [comment]
****
MISS SUZIE HAD A STEAMBOAT
Miss Suzie had a steamboat,
her steamboat had a bell (ding ding),
Miss Suzie went to heaven,
her steamboat went to...
HELL...o operator
please give me number nine,
And if you disconnect me
I'll cut off your...
Behind the refridgerator
there lay a piece of glass
Miss Suzie sat upon it and cut her big fat...
Ask me no more questions,
I'll tell you now more lies
The boys are in the bathroom
zipping up their..
Flies are in the meadow,
the bees are in the park,
Miss Suzie and her boyfriend
are kissing in the...
D-a-r-k, d-a-r-k, dark dark dark.
The dark is like the movies,
the movies' like the show,
The show is like tv
and that is all I know...
Know know,
I know I know my ma
I know I know my pa,
I know I know my sister
with the 80 meter bra.
My mother is Godzilla,
my father is King Kong.
My sister is the idiot
who made up this dumb song.
My mother gave me a nickle,
my father gave me a dime
My sister gave me a boyfriend,
his name was Frankenstein.
He made me do the dishes,
he made me wash the floor
He made we wash his underpants
and I kicked him out the door!
I kicked him over London,
I kicked him over France,
I kicked him over Hollywoood
and he lost his underpants.
Miss Suzie had a baby,
she named him Tiny Tim.
She put him in the bathtub
to see if he could swim.
He drank up all the water,
he ate up all the soap.
He tried to eat the bathtub
but it wouldn't fit down his throat.
Miss Suzie called the doctor,
Miss Suzie called the nurse
Miss Suzie called the lady
with the alligator purse.
Chicken pox said the doctor,
measles said the nurse
Nothing said the lady
with the alligator purse.
Pennicillan said the doctor,
caster oil said the nurse.
Pizzia said the lady
with the alligator purse!
Miss Suzie knocked the doctor.
Miss Suzie punched the nurse.
Miss Suzie paid the lady with the alligator purse!
-http://www.inthe80s.com/rhymes.shtml
-snip-
This example is reformatted from the paragraph form which is found on that site.
****
O, P
****
Q, R
****
S, T
SAY SAY MY PLAYMATE (Example #1)
Say Say My Playmate
Say, Say my playmate
Come out and play with me
and bring your dollies 3
climb up my apple tree
slide down my rain barrel
into my cellar door
and we'll be jolly friends
forever more - more - more !
Say, say my playmate,
I cannot play with you.
My dolly has the flu,
Boohoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo.
Ain't got no rain barrel,
Ain't got no cellar door.
But we'll be jolly friends,
Forever more, more, more!
-https://dltk-kids.com/games/say_say_my_playmate.htm
****
SAY SAY MY PLAYMATE (Example #2)
say say my playmate
come out and play with me
my father's got the flue
the German measles too
slide down my drain pipe
onto my cellar floor
and we'll be jolly friends
forever more, more, more more more!
-Katie Siddoway, 2019;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2lOX-ccvxs&ab_channel=MyLorgan
OH, JOLLY PLAYMATES (Example #3 of "Say Say My Playmate")
Oh jolly playmate, come out and play with me
And bring your dollies three;
Climb up my apple tree.
Slide down my rainbow into my cellar door,
And we'll be jolly friends forever more.
Oh jolly playmate, I cannot play with you.
My dollies have the flu;
They threw up in my shoe.
I have no rainbow; I have no cellar door,
But we'll be jolly friends forever more.
(This one we weren't supposed to sing, but did anyway)
Oh rotten enemy, come out and fight with me,
And bring your soldiers three,
Climb up my poison tree.
Slide down my razor into my dungeon door
And we'll be rotten enemies forever more.
Oh rotten enemy, I cannot play with you;
My soldiers have the flu--
They threw up in my shoe.
I have no razor; I have no dungeon door,
But we'll be rotten enemies forever more.
-DebbieOlsen,
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=81350&messages=147#1921649 , "
I'm Rubber . You're Glue: Children's Rhymes"29 Dec 06
SAY SAY MY PLAYMATE (Example #4)
Black girls,
Denver, Colorado - late 70's/early 80's 3 Say-Say Songs:
(Say-Say Happy Song - sung upbeat)
Say-say oh playmate
Come out and play with me
And bring your dollies-three
Climb up my apple tree
Slide down my rainbow
Into my cellar door
And we'll be jolly friends
Forever more, more - shut the door
(Say-Say Sad Song - Sung slowly, imitating crying)
Say say oh playmate
I cannot play with you
My dolly has the flu
She spit up in my shoe
Ain't got no rainbow
Ain't got no cellar door
And we'll be jolly friends
Forever more, more - shut the door
(Say-Say Angry Song)
Say say oh enemy
Come out and fight with me
And bring your pistols-three
Climb up my poison tree
Slide down my spider web
Into my dungeon door
And we'll be jolly enemies
Forever more more,
shut the door"
-Jeanae; cocojams.com, June 14, 2008
****
SAY SAY MY PLAYMATE (Example #5 & #6)
Took a childhood hand clapping game and made a Covid 19
parody.
Original Lyrics:
Say, say, oh playmate.
Come out and play with me.
Bring out your dollies three.
Climb up my apple tree.
Slide down my rainbow,
Into my cellar door.
And we’ll be jolly friends,
Forevermore, one, two, three, four!
Say, say, oh playmate.
I cannot play today.
My dollies have the flu.
Boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo
My apple tree is dead.
My rainbow’s gone away.
My cellar door is locked.
Forevermore, one, two, three, four!
We actually flipped the versus and used verse 2 first so the song would end on a more cheerful note!
Our Parody:
Say, Say, oh playmate.
I can't come play today.
The world has got the flu.
Covid 19 Boo Hoo.
Wash your hands til they're red,
Six feet is what they said
My front door is locked
Forever more, one, two, three, four!
Say, Say, oh playmate.
It's time for quarantine.
You can't come play with me,
or climb my apple tree.
but we can snapchat,
or have a zoom meeting.
We'll still be jolly friends,
when it's all o'er, one, two, three, four!
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd_a2CrbA_k&ab_channel=CraftiViolet "Coronavirus Parody of Say Say Oh Playmate", Crafti Violet (and her teenage step-daughter), Mar 30, 2020
U, V
****
W, X
WALLFLOWERS
The Clancy Brothers in their Carnegie Hall set of kids songs
used:-
Wallflowers, wallflowers growing up so high,
I've had the measles I'll never never die,
Call at Tommy Makem's house, he has no relations,
He will tick and tack and turn his back and kiss the
congregation.
- Flash Company [Brian Q], 21 Mar 07;http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=100061 "Water Waterflower/Brickwall
Waterfall"
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Y, Z
****
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