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Tuesday, May 20, 2025

"Bang Bang Choo Choo Train" (Documenting Dates For Some Examples Of This Rhyme: from 2011 to 2023)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision- May 22, 2025

This pancocojams post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on the African American originated rhymes/cheers entitled "Bang Bang Choo Choo Train". This series also includes examples of rhymes/cheers that have another title but include lines from versions of "Bang Bang Choo Choo Train".

This post presents a compilation of some examples of the children's "Bang Bang Choo Choo Train" rhymes and cheers from 2011 to 2023. These examples are presented in chronological order by year, if that information was given. Geographic information is also given for some of these examples if that information is available. 

The content of this post is presented for cultural, folkloric, 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/2022/01/childrens-examples-of-bang-bang-choo.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Bang Bang Choo Choo Train" (Documenting Dates For & Analysis Of Early Examples Of This Rhyme: early 1970s to 2010)".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/08/bang-bang-choo-choo-train-rhyme-cheer.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Bang Bang Choo Choo Train rhymes and cheers (early sources & examples)"

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/01/bang-bang-choo-choo-train-tik-tok.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "
Bang Bang Choo Choo Train Tik Tok Challenge Dance Compilation (Dancing To A Clip Of The 1995 Song "Giddy Up Let's Ride")".

That post showcases the 1995 record "Giddy Up let's Ride" by Kinsul. The prechorus and the bridge of that record includes lyrics from the "Bang Bang Choo Choo Train" rhyme. That record is featured in the 1997 American movie Baps. Also, as the above link indicates, the "Bang Bang Choo Choo train" words that were sung in that record were the music backdrop of the 2021 TikTok "Bang Bang Choo Choo Train" dance challenge. Click https://genius.com/Kinsui-giddy-up-lets-ride-lyrics for that record's complete lyrics.

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SELECTED EXAMPLES OF "BANG BANG CHOO CHOO TRAIN" RHYMES & CLOSELY RELATED RHYMES 

These examples are presented in relative chronological order based on their publishing date and not the date or decades that the commenters remembered chanting these rhymes/cheers.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
-snip-
Notice that some of these examples have the group/soloist word structure of foot stomping cheers.

Also, read the note for Example #14 that includes lyrics for the 1995 Hip Hop "Giddy Up Let's Ride" song by Kinsui that includes words from the "Bang Bang Choo Choo Train" rhyme. A brief sound clip of that record was used in 2021 as the music for TikTok "Bang Bang Choo Choo Train" dance challenge videos.   

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BRICK WALL WATER FALL [Example #1]

"the way i learned it was " Brick wall waterfall girl you think you got it all but you dont, i do so boom wit that attitude, reeses pieces butter cup mess with me i mess you up, bang bang choo choo train wound me up and do my thing why not bc my back is aching my bras to tight my booty's shaking from the left to the right, this is skinny this is fat, boys whtacha looking at, all the boys on the floor saying check me out, check me out, mama mia,Then i learned another one was Cap.. Cap... Captain Crunch I got somethin you cant touch"
-Angelina Cisneros, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSbCOuhek4E&ab_channel=tishaechappelle [comment]

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BRICK WALL WATERFALL [Example #2]

"my version :brick wall waterfall.girl u think u got it all but u don I do so boom with that attitude come back u need a tic tak not one not two but whole 6 packs my back is aching and my shoes are to tight my hips are shaking from the left to the right chimy chimy coco puff chimmy chimy  pow chimy chimy get out right now"

-Tiana Archie, 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSbCOuhek4E&ab_channel=tishaechappelle [comment]

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BRICK WALL WATERFALL [Example #3]

"This is how me and my friends say it,

brick wall waterfall boys think they know it all but they dont girls do so boom with that attitude reises pieces buttercup mess with me i mess u up, bang bang choo choo train comeone girl lets do our thing, why not i cant why not i cant cuz my back is achin and my skirts to tight and my bootys shakin from the left to the right"

-Jenna Yrell, 2014,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSbCOuhek4E&ab_channel=tishaechappelle [comment]

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REESE'S PIECES  [Example #4]

"Reese's Pieces, Butter Cup

Sing with us, we'll cheer you up!

Bang, Bang- Choo Choo Train

Come on _____ do your thing!

- I can't

- Why not?

-Cause I cant!

- Why not?

My back aches, My skirts too tight, my booty shake from the left to the right!

To the left, To the right. To the left, to the right, ot the left, to the right!

 (Repeat through whole team)"
-https://tafths.enschool.org/students/student_web/EAST/Academic%20Center%20Poms%20Website%20March2014/Cheer%20Website.html; March 2024]


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ROCK THE BOAT  [Example #5]

"Oh! I remember how we did it at camp, now. The counselors would choose a camper and we'd sing the song.

Something like this:

Her name is Liesl! Rock the boat

She's doin' fine! Rock the boat

She'll do her thing! Rock the boat

She'll blow your mind! Rock the boat

Hit it!

Bang bang, choo choo train,

Wind her up, she'll do her thing,

No Reese's Pieces, no buttercup,

She'll show you how to pump it up!

She knows karate

She knows Kung Fu!

*__ __ __ __ __ __ ooo!

Rock clap the boat clap

Rock clap rock the oohah! oohah!

Rock clap the boat clap

Rock clap rock the oohah! ooh!

 

 And it would repeat with another camper

I forgot what goes there, but the blanks are syllables, and it rhymes with the 'ooh' sound"
-Liesl Lockheart, 2015, [example from a commenter in the discussion thread for  "Do You Remember 90s Handgames?".] That YouTube vlog no longer available.

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BANG BANG CHOO CHOO TRAIN [Example #6]

"This was a song that we did at camp a lot, and the first part was sang by everyone in the group but the counselor usually picked the first Person B. Then as the verses continued whoever was Person B last would yell the name of the new Person B.

Person A: Peanut butter Reese's cup sing a song to cheer you up

Bang bang choo-chop train come on (person B) do your thang!

 

Person B: I can't!

Person A: Why not?

Person B: I just can't!

Person A: Why not?

Person B: My back's aching, my belt's too tight, my booty shaking from the left to the right

Everyone: to the left! to the right! to the left to the right to the left to the right! to the sky, to the ground, my booty's shaking all around that's right we're tight so rick-tick-tick-tick! hold on wait a minute put a booty in it! Jump! Shake your booty! Jump jump! Shake your booty!

(Repeat the song)"
-Claire Jelagin, 2016; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55TnrD5re5g Do You Remember 90s Rhymes

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PEANUT BUTTER IN A CUP [Example #7]

ALL  Peanut butter in a cup we sing this song to pump us UP!

Bing Bang choo choo train, come on Bridgette do your thang…

BRIDGETTE: I can’t!

ALL:  Why not?

BRIDGETTE: I just can’t!

ALL:  Why not?

BRIDGETTE: My back’s aching, the sun’s too bright, my hips popping from left to right. To the left. To the right, to the left, To the right.

ALL: Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right…

Peanut butter in a cup we sing this song to pump us UP! Bing Bang choo choo train, come on Lindsay do your thang…

LINDSAY: I can’t!

ALL:  Why not?

LINDSAY: I just can’t!

ALL:  Why not?

LINDSAY: My back’s aching, the sun’s too bright, my hips popping from left to right. To the left. To the right, to the left, To the right.

ALL: Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right"...
- GoNoodle's "Peanut Butter In A Cup" Cheer, August 24, 2016 , 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPCGfa44bF0

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BANG BANG CHOO CHOO TRAIN (Cheer) [Example #8]

"--Informant Info--

Nationality: American

Age: 10

Occupation: Student

Residence: Beverly Hills, CA

Date of Performance/Collection: 4/24/16

(Acting out the whole thing, had to recall it)

Stop don’t talk to me loser lame-o wannabe

Like oh totally t-totally

Rainfall waterfall girl you think you got it all

But you don’t I do so boom with that attitude

Bang bang choo choo train wind me up

I’ll do that thing bang bang choo choo train

Wind me up I’ll do that thing.

Reeses Pieces butter cups you mess with me I’ll mess you up

Loser whatever get that picture. Word. (that’s what people say)

THE INFORMANT: Ruby is ten and says she learned this chant in 3rd grade. Everyone in her grade knows it but only the girls act it out because she says the boys are too embarrassed.

ANALYSIS: Some research on this chant, because I remember the “bang bang choo choo train” part but not the rest, has shown that this rhyme / cheer has been around in some form or another since as far back as 1902, with many variations along the timeline. It is often used as a cheer for young girls to perform as cheerleaders or dancers, and has historically been controversial because some versions of it use more sexualized language than parents think is appropriate for their children to perform to. However, the language used in Ruby’s version shows the large differences between the different versions of this cheer from school to school and over time, where only the “bang bang choo choo train” part is still intact"

- tokemper, .May 3, 2016, http://folklore.usc.edu/bang-bang-choo-choo-train-cheer/,  Folk speech, Game, Gestures, Humor, Kinesthetic, Musical 

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BRICK WALL WATER FALL  [Example #9]

"I learned brick wall water fall boys think they know it all they don't we do that do we do so hoom with yo attitude Reese's pieces butter cup you mess with me I'll mess you up bang bang chu chu train wind me up I'll do my thang why not I can why not I can cuz my back is aching and my bra too tight but my boy friend days that it fits just right my booty shaking from the left to the right my hands up high and my feet down low come on girls let show they how it goes............ me and my cousins were some crazy children........"
-Deandrea Seda, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSbCOuhek4E&ab_channel=tishaechappelle [comment]

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BRICK WALL WATER FALL  [Example #10]

"I learned thus as Brick wall, waterfall, hey girl you think you know it all. You don't. I do. So poor with the attitude. Bang bang choo choo train now let me see you shake that thing. I can't. Why not? I just can't. Why not? My back is aching and my bras too tight. My bootys shaking from the left to the right. From the left to the right."
-AngelIque B, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSbCOuhek4E&ab_channel=tishaechappelle [comment]

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BRICK WALL WATERFALL  [Example #11]

"Brick wall waterfall

Girl you think you got it all

But you don’t

I do

So Boom with that attitude

Peace punch captain crunch

I got something that you can’t touch

Bang bang choo choo train

Wind me up I’ll do my thang

Reece’s pieces 7up

Mess with me I’ll mess you up.

🌻Cheyenne 🌻"
-@cheyennee2016; Dec 4, 2018· https://twitter.com/cheyennee2016/status/1069829283277721600

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BANG BANG CHOO CHOO TRAIN (Cheerleader cheer)  [Example #12]

Ready Go!
Bang Bang Choo Choo Train
Come on Lasers Do your thing.
Shake it high. Shake it low
Turn around and strike a pose.
Okay,gym let's go!
-@eastsideyouthleaguecheerle6352 August 29, 2019 

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MY LEFT [Example #13]

My left my left my left right left
My left my left my left right left
My left my left my left right left
My back achin my belt too tight
My booty shaking from the left to the right
My?- My ? My-hoochie coochie ?
-https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2020/06/kids-explain-their-rhymes-games-and-songs/ "Kids Explain Their Rhymes, Games, and Songs" June 5, 2020,

Posted by: Stephanie Hall [sound file of 
Children's rhymes, games, and songs performed by Mrs. Currier's 4th grade class, Blue Ridge Elementary School, Ararat, Virginia, 1978; An African American girl shares this rhyme that she learned from her cousin Lavera who lives in New York]

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BANG BANG CHOO CHOO TRAIN (SOFTBALL CHEER) 
[Example #14]

Any softball players here would know the chant that goes “bang bang choo choo train call me over I’ll do my thang I know karate I know kung fu you mess with me I’ll mess you up!”
-@thaliamartinez8021, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Strt7NoDMJ0 Bang Bang Choo Choo Train Challenge Dance Compilation #bangbang #bangbangdance, One Challenge, Dec 28, 2021
-snip-
This twitter dance challenge compilation has a brief clip of the 1995 Hip Hop record "Giddy Up Let's Ride" by Kinsui. That sound clip includes the "Bang bang choo choo train/let me see you do your thing" words from that rhyme/ Also, the bridge of that 1995 record includes more words from that rhyme
"
Go left, go right

Go left, right, left, right

My back is aching, my belt's too tight

My booty shakin' from left to right

Go left, go right

Go left, right, left, right

My back is aching, my belt's too tight

My booty shakin' from left to right"...
-snip-
Those words are directly from military cadences.

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REESE'S PIECES  [Example #15]

"It's:

Bang bang choo choo train, wind me up I do my thang.

I know karate, I know kung fu, you mess with me I mess with you.

Brick wall, waterfall, girl you think you know it all.

You don't, I do. So poof with the attitude.

But wait, come back. Cause girl you need a tic-tac.

Not one, not two, but the whole six pack."
-Kelly Jones answered, no publishing date given, https://entertainment.blurtit.com/1705724/what-are-the-words-to-bang-bang-choo-choo-train-cheer , retrieved January 6, 2022

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BANG BANG CHOO CHOO TRAIN [Example #16]

"A-B-C Hit It! That's the way Uh-Uhh I like it Uh-Uhh.

That's the way Uh-Uhh I like it Uh-Uhh. Brickwall Waterfall

Girl you think you know it all. You don't. I do. So Poof with the Attitude. Bang bang choo choo train watch me while I do my thang. Reese's pieces 7-up u mess with me I'll mess u up!"
-Anonymous answered; no publishing date given, https://entertainment.blurtit.com/1705724/what-are-the-words-to-bang-bang-choo-choo-train-cheer , retrieved January 6, 2022

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BANG BANG CHOO CHOO TRAIN [Example #17]

"Bang bang cho cho train wind me up and I'll do my thang no Reese peice no butter cup mess with me I'll mess you up I know karate I know Kung fu mess with me and I'll do it on my you"
-Wendy Morlock answered,  no publishing date given, https://entertainment.blurtit.com/1705724/what-are-the-words-to-bang-bang-choo-choo-train-cheer , retrieved January 6, 2022

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BANG BANG CHOO CHOO TRAIN [Example #18]

"The long way goes like this:

 Bang Bang Choo Choo Train

Let me see you do your thang

I can't

Why not

Because I can't

Why not

Because my back is aching and

My bra's too tight

My hips are shakin' from the left to the right

My mom's on fire; she's got a butt like mine

When she crosses the street, the cars go beep beep beep

When she gets down low she does the rodeo

When she gets up high she does the butterfly

Oh now I see why you can't

Bang Bang Choo Choo Train"
-Anonymous answered, no publishing date given, https://entertainment.blurtit.com/1705724/what-are-the-words-to-bang-bang-choo-choo-train-cheer , retrieved January 6, 2022

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BRICK WALL WATERFALL [Example #19]

[Three girls chant in unison] - Brick wall W
aterfall
Michael thinks he got it all
But he don't and we do
So POOF with that attitude

[Michael]
Um, it's "BOOM with that attitude
Boom with that attitude.
Peace punch Captain Crunch.
I got something you can't touch
Oh oh bang bang choo choo train
Wind me up
I’ll do my thing
 No Reese's pieces 7 Up
You mess with me I'll mess you.
-MelissaKristinTV - DigitalMunchies, Mar 2, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5X69y9X9Cw Remember the #early2000s “Brick Wall Waterfall” diss chant? #nostalgia
snip-
Here's the rest of the words to that video:
The Main girl speaks to her two girl friends who had moved over to Michael’s side:
"You’re supposed to be on my side."
Michael says to those two girls- “Let’s go home, Skillets".
-snip-
As of May 20, 2025 at 8:09 PM EST, this YouTube video has a total number of 31,480,261 views.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/brickwall-waterfall-examples-analysis.html  for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Brick Wall Waterfall" (Examples & Analysis)

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ROCK THE BOAT (BANG BANG CHOO CHOO TRAIN) [Example #20] 

its actually now a softball cheer it goes like

my name is _ rock the boat im feeling fine rock the boat you mess with me rock the boat i blow your mind rock the boat im talking bang bang choo choo  train wind me up and i do my thing no reeses peices no captain crunch you mess with me i mess you up rock the boat dont tip it over if you do this game will be over
-@drawing3297, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5X69y9X9Cw Remember the #early2000s “Brick Wall Waterfall” diss chant? #nostalgia, published by MelissaKristinTV - DigitalMunchies, March 2, 2023


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BANG BANG CHOO CHOO TRAIN CHEER [Example #21] 

Bang, Bang Choo Choo Train
Come on Lions, do your Thang!
Get it…Get it…get it
Got it…got it… got it
Whoosh, and let it roll
-Laschandra Spraggins, Sep 6, 2023,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw4YrIbDhD8 Bang Choo Choo Train Cheer

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2 comments:

  1. Here are a few comments from the discussion thread for "Remember the #early2000s “Brick Wall Waterfall” diss chant? #nostalgia" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5X69y9X9Cw published by MelissaKristinTV - DigitalMunchies, March 2, 2023.

    These comments help document that "Bang Bang Choo Choo Train" (and closely related rhymes such as "Brick Wall Waterfall are still being chanted in the 2020s and some of these comments provide information about when and where these rhymes are performed during the 2020s.

    These numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

    2023

    1. @Jinxx_D
    "This was my cabins chant at summercamp last year 😭😭 we're all over the age of 12 lmao"
    **
    2. @slytherpuff_pottaheditz
    "My elementary school still does this all the time!"
    **
    3. @TheMentallyDisturbed
    "These are cheerleading cheers 😭"
    **
    4. @StellaLuxNebula
    "For those who dont know... This is still happening i see it everyday with the elementary kids..."
    **
    5. @OmgThisIsSick2014
    "At my school we still do this🤣🤣"
    **
    6. @THATBTCALEX
    "Brick fall waterfall, but he think he got it out but he don’t but I do so boom with that attitude, peace punch, captain crunch. I got something you can’t touch bang bang choo-choo train wind me up I’ll do my thing no Reese’s pieces you mess with me I’ll mess you up is the most iconic comeback that I still use😊"
    **
    7. @FrogMom09
    "I used to do these at softball games lol"

    **
    8.@its.josie_noelleee
    "Anyone else have to do this in cheerleading camps in the fourth grade tho?"
    **
    9.@drawing3297
    "its actually now a softball cheer it goes like
    my name is _ rock the boat im feeling fine rock the boat you mess with me rock the boat i blow your mind rock the boat im talking bang bang choo choo train wind me up and i do my thing no reeses peices no captain crunch you mess with me i mess you up rock the boat dont tip it over if you do this game will be over"
    **
    10. @vhthang3317
    "these disses are always on the softball team chants"

    [A few more comments from that discussion thread are given in my next comment below.]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 2023

      11. @gachawithsuki123
      "No bc I do cheer and fr half of this was a cheer we would do in first grade"
      **
      12. @YourBestieKindyWindy
      "My friend in cheer and gymnastics be like:….. it’s so annoying though tbh"
      **
      13. @Mystery-figure
      "At my school me and my friends do that but hand motions lol"
      **
      14. @roberthill137
      "That’s literally me now with my friends"
      **
      15. @ruikasa.fan.aaa0
      "Bro that one kid in the softball team be like:"
      **
      16. @justflyingbi
      "Why are my Softball chants like this-"
      **
      17.@QuirkiestCreature
      "This was life in elementary and I was born in 2009"
      **
      18. @aubreywilliams5718
      "I said the same thing and Roblox when they have this rap battle thing like brick Wall waterfall"
      **
      19. @seeking4rayeh
      "in softball we say this but in "my name is cow and yk what i got? 'what do u got?' i got a team that's smokinn hot! 'how hot is hot?' grandslam and homeruns too 'uh huh uh huh' we're gonna kick the WHOOPSIES outta you! 'alright okay' im talkin hip-hop forgot the word girl you think you know it all you DON'T i DO so BOOM with that attitude BOOM with that attitude! reeses pieces buttercups you mess with me i'll mess u up all the way to pizza hut and slide and slide and do the butterfly and hit and hit and shake those funky hips!"
      **
      20. @LalaSadiFan73846
      "My 3rd grade friend knows this"
      **
      21.@meowtiger5964
      "I still randomly say this sometimes 😂"

      ****
      2024

      22. @UrLocalDisventureCampFan
      "I used this as a roast in trd (total Roblox drama)"
      **
      23.@MinaWalker
      "We did this as a choir warm up last year lol"

      ****
      2025

      24. @youraveragedissapointment4979
      "The fact that a few years ago in year 7 one of my classmates who claimed she was my “best friend” taught me this chant but I immediately forgot it because It was so long"
      **
      25. @POTTERHEAD-1-AS
      "As a kid who is in 5th grade this is still going on 😂😂😂😂😂😂."

      Delete