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Nursery Rhymes for Africa

by African Treehouse

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1.
Hey Diddle Diddle Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon. The little dog laughed to see such fun And the dish ran away with the spoon. Hey diddle (hey diddle) Hey diddle (hey diddle diddle) Hey diddle (hey diddle) Hey diddle (hey diddle diddle) Meow like a cat Moo like a cow Meow like a cat Moo like a cow Hey diddle (hey diddle) Hey diddle (hey diddle diddle) Hey diddle (hey diddle) Hey diddle (hey diddle diddle) Meow like a cat Moo like a cow Meow like a cat Moo like a cow (all the children together) Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon. The little dog laughed to see such fun And the dish ran away with the spoon. The little dog laughed to see such fun And the dish ran away with the spoon. The dish ran away, ran away ran away The dish ran away with the spoon
2.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Twinkle twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are, Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky, Twinkle twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are African star, High above the world, How I wonder what you are, African star, Like a diamond in the African sky Twinkle twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are, Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky, Twinkle twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are African star, High above the world, How I wonder what you are, African star, Like a diamond in the African sky Twinkle twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are, Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky, Twinkle twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are x 3
3.
Hickory Dickory Dock Hickory dickory dock, The mouse ran up the clock, The clock struck one the mouse fell down, Hickory dickory dock Hickory dickory dock The mouse, ran up the clock The big old clock struck one and the little mouse fell down and Hickory dickory doc Hickory dickory dock, The mouse ran up the clock, The clock struck one the mouse fell down, Hickory dickory dock Hickory dickory dock The mouse, ran up the clock The big old clock struck one and the little mouse fell down and Hickory dickory doc Hickory dickory dock, The mouse ran up the clock, The clock struck one the mouse fell down, Hickory dickory dock
4.
If you’re Happy and You Know It If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands, If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands, If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands If you’re happy and you know it stamp your feet, If you’re happy and you know it stamp your feet, If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it If you’re happy and you know it stamp your feet I hope you’re happy and you’re happy and that you know it, I hope you’re happy and you’re happy and that you’ll show it, I hope the sun will shine for you wherever you’re going, So let’s all clap our hands, we’re happy and we all know it If you’re happy and you know it snap your fingers, If you’re happy and you know it snap your fingers, If you’re happy and you know it snap your fingers, If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it If you’re happy and you know it snap your fingers If you’re happy and you know it nod your head, If you’re happy and you know it nod your head, If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it If you’re happy and you know it nod your head I hope you’re happy and you’re happy and that you know it, I hope you’re happy and you’re happy and that you’ll show it, I hope the sun will shine for you wherever you’re going, So let’s all clap our hands, we’re happy and we all know it If you’re happy and you know it shout hooray (hooray!) If you’re happy and you know it shout hooray (hooray!) If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it If you’re happy and you know it shout hooray (hooray!) I hope you’re happy and you’re happy and that you know it, I hope you’re happy and you’re happy and that you’ll show it, I hope the sun will shine for you wherever you’re going, So let’s all clap our hands, we’re happy and we all know it x 3 Hooray!
5.
Incy Wincy Spider Incy Wincy Spider climbed up the water spout, Down came the rain, and washed the spider out, Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain, and Incy Wincy Spider climbed up the spout again Incy Wincy Spider, he climbs “Silly spider” Then he falls down Incy Wincy Spider Then he climbs again Incy Wincy Spider, he climbs “Silly spider” Then he falls down Incy Wincy Spider Then he climbs again Incy Wincy Spider climbed up the water spout, Down came the rain, and washed the spider out, Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain, and Incy Wincy Spider climbed up the spout again Incy Wincy Spider climbed up the water spout, Down came the rain, and washed the spider out, Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain, and Incy Wincy Spider climbed up the spout again Incy Wincy Spider, he climbs “Silly spider” Then he falls down Incy Wincy Spider Then he climbs again Incy Wincy Spider, he climbs “Silly spider” Then he falls down Incy Wincy Spider Then he climbs again
6.
Hush Little Baby Hush little baby, don’t say a word, Mama’s gonna buy you a mocking bird. And if that mocking bird don’t sing, Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring And if that diamond ring turns brass Mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass And if that looking glass gets broke Mama’s gonna buy you a billy goat Interlude And if that billy goat doesn’t pull (he’s so lazy) Mama’s gonna buy you a cart and bull (called Daisy) And if that cart and bull turns over (watch out!) Mama’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover (bow wow wow wow wow wow wow) Interlude And if that dog named Rover wont bark (he doesn’t bark) Mama’s gonna buy you a horse and cart (oh what a lark) And if that horse and cart falls down (oh gee!) Well you’ll still be the sweetest baby in town (yippee) Interlude Hush little baby, don’t say a word, Mama’s gonna buy you a mocking bird. And if that mocking bird don’t sing, Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring Mama’s gonna buy you a diamond ring
7.
Humpty Dumpty Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, All the king’s horses and all the king’s men, Couldn’t put Humpty together again Humpty Dumpty – Sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty – Had a great fall, Humpty Dumpty - Sat on the wall and he had a great fall, And all the – All the king’s horses And all the – All the king’s men, They couldn’t – Couldn’t put Humpty together again Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, All the king’s horses and all the king’s men, Couldn’t put Humpty together again Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, He broke his head, Because he’s an egg spoken Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall Humpty Dumpty had a great fall (And all the) And all the king’s horses and all the king’s men (They couldn’t) Couldn’t put Humpty together Humpty Dumpty – Sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty – Had a great fall, Humpty Dumpty - Sat on the wall and he had a great fall, And all the – All the king’s horses And all the – All the king’s men, They couldn’t – Couldn’t put Humpty together again Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, All the king’s horses and all the king’s men, Couldn’t put Humpty together again Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, He broke his head, Because he’s an egg x3
8.
Polly Put the Kettle On Polly put the kettle on, Polly put the ketlle on, Polly put the kettle on, We’ll all have tea Suky take it off again, Suky take it off again, Suky take it off again They’ve all gone away Polly put the kettle on, Polly put the ketlle on, Polly put the kettle on, We’ll all have tea Blow the fire and make the toast, Put the muffins on to roast, Blow the fire and make the toast, We’ll all have tea Interlude Oh Polly put oh Polly put, The kettle on, Oh Polly put the kettle on, Oh Polly put oh Polly put, The kettle on, Oh Polly put the kettle on Polly put the kettle on, Polly put the ketlle on, Polly put the kettle on, We’ll all have tea Suky take it off again, Suky take it off again, Suky take it off again They’ve all gone away Polly put the kettle on, Polly put the ketlle on, Polly put the kettle on, We’ll all have tea Blow the fire and make the toast, Put the muffins on to roast, Blow the fire and make the toast, We’ll all have tea Interlude Oh Polly put oh Polly put, The kettle on, Oh Polly put the kettle on, Oh Polly put oh Polly put, The kettle on, Oh Polly put the kettle on Polly put the kettle on, Polly put the ketlle on, Polly put the kettle on, We’ll all have tea Suky take it off again, Suky take it off again, Suky take it off again They’ve all gone away Polly put the kettle on, Polly put the ketlle on, Polly put the kettle on, We’ll all have tea Blow the fire and make the toast, Put the muffins on to roast, Blow the fire and make the toast, We’ll all have tea
9.
Row Row Row Your Boat Row row row your boat, gently down the stream Merrily merrily merrily merrily, life is but a dream Row row row your boat, gently down the stream If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream Interlude Row row row row row row row row Row row row row row row row Row row row your boat, gently down the river If you see a polar bear, don’t forget to shiver Row row row your boat, gently to the shore If you see a lion, don’t forget to roar Instrumental (modulate up 1 tone to C major) Row row row your boat, gently down the creek If you see a little mouse, don’t forget to squeak Row row row your boat, in your bubble bath If you see a spider, don’t forget to laugh Interlude Row row row row row row row row Row row row row row row row Row row row your boat, gently up the brook If you catch a little fish, let it off the hook Row row row your boat, gently down the stream Merrily merrily merrily merrily, life is but a dream Merrily merrily merrily merrily, life is but a dream Merrily merrily merrily merrily, life is but a dream
10.
Mary Had A Little Lamb Mary had a little lamb,little lamb, little lamb Mary had a little lamb, it’s fleece was white as snow. Everywhere that Mary went, Mary went, Mary went Everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go Interlude Ma-a-Mary Ma-a-Mary Ma-a-Mary Ma-a-Mary It followed her to school one day, school one day, school one day It followed her to school one day which was against the rules. It made the children laugh and play, laugh and play, laugh and play It made the children laugh and play to see a lamb at school Interlude Ma-a-Mary had a little little little lamb Ma-a-Mary had a little little little lamb Ma-a-Mary had a little little little lamb Ma-a-Mary had a little little little lamb   So the teacher turned it out, turned it out, turned it out So the teacher turned it out, but still it lingered near. And waited patiently about, patiently, patiently And waited patiently about, did Mary did appear Ma-a-Mary Ma-a-Mary Ma-a-Mary Ma-a-Mary Why does the lamb love Mary so? Mary so? Mary so? Why does the lamb love Mary so the eager children cried. Why Mary loves the lamb you know, loves him so, loves him so Why Mary loves the lamb you know, the teacher did reply Interlude Ma-a-Mary Ma-a-Mary Ma-a-Mary Ma-a-Mary Ma-a-Mary had a little little little lamb Ma-a-Mary had a little little little lamb Ma-a-Mary had a little little little lamb Ma-a-Mary had a little little little lamb Ma-a-Mary Ma-a-Mary
11.
This Old Man 02:26
This Old Man This old man, he played one He played knick knack on my thumb With a knick knack paddywhack give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home This old man, he played two He played knick knack on my shoe With a knick knack paddywhack give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home Instrumental This old man, he played three He played knick knack on my knee With a knick knack paddywhack give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home This old man, he played four He played knick knack on my door With a knick knack paddywhack give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home Instrumental This old man, he played five He played knick knack on my hive With a knick knack paddywhack give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home This old man, he played six He played knick knack on my sticks With a knick knack paddywhack give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home Instrumental This old man, he played seven He played knick knack up to heaven With a knick knack paddywhack give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home This old man, he played eight He played knick knack on my gate With a knick knack paddywhack give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home Instrumental (4 bars) Modulate up a semitone to D This old man, he played nine He played knick knack all the time With a knick knack paddywhack give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home This old man, he played ten He played knick knack once again With a knick knack paddywhack give a dog a bone This old man came ro…..lling…… home!
12.
There Was an Old Lady There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. I dunno why she swallowed a fly, Perhaps she'll die. There was an old lady who swallowed a spider, That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her. She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. But I dunno why she swallowed that fly - Perhaps she'll die. There was an old lady who swallowed a bird; How absurd, to swallow a bird! She swallowed the bird to catch the spider That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her. She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. But I dunno why she swallowed that fly - Perhaps she'll die. There was an old lady who swallowed a cat. Imagine that, she swallowed a cat. She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ... She swallowed the bird to catch the spider That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her. She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. But I dunno why she swallowed that fly - Perhaps she'll die. There was an old lady who swallowed a dog. What a hog! To swallow a dog! She swallowed the dog to catch the cat... She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ... She swallowed the bird to catch the spider That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her. She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. But I dunno why she swallowed that fly - Perhaps she'll die. There was an old lady who swallowed a goat. Just opened her throat and swallowed a goat! She swallowed the goat to catch the dog ... She swallowed the dog to catch the cat... She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ... She swallowed the bird to catch the spider That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her. She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. But I dunno why she swallowed that fly - Perhaps she'll die. There was an old lady who swallowed a cow. I don't know how she swallowed a cow! She swallowed the cow to catch the goat... She swallowed the goat to catch the dog ... She swallowed the dog to catch the cat... She swallowed the cat to catch the bird ... She swallowed the bird to catch the spider That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her. She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. But I dunno why she swallowed that fly - Perhaps she'll die. There was an old lady who swallowed a horse - She's dead, of course.

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Nursery Rhymes like you've never heard them before! African, jazzy, fresh and adult friendly. This will get you and the kids dancing!

By the same SAMA (South African Music Award)-winning team that brought you The African Alphabet & African Numbers.

To keep updated & get free bonus tracks sign up here: www.africanabc.com

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released August 30, 2014

African Treehouse - Erka Strydom & Graeme Sacks plus guests

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African Treehouse Johannesburg, South Africa

"African Treehouse" is an ongoing project to bring African music to kids around the world. Top South African musicians appear on the albums including: Relebogile "Lebo" Mabotja, Concord Nkabinde and Kelly Petlane.
"African Treehouse" is the brainchild of the SAMA (South African Music Award) winning team of Graeme Sacks and Erika Strydom.
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