Finger plays for nursery and kindergarten
Date: 2008-03-24T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Games; Games with music; Children's songs; Finger play

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Finger plays for nursery and kindergarten

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Title: Finger plays for nursery and kindergarten

Author: Emilie Poulsson

Illustrator: L. J. Bridgman

Release date: March 24, 2008 [eBook #24912]
Most recently updated: January 3, 2021

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Suzanne Shell, Linda Cantoni, and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. Music
transcribed by Linda Cantoni. This e-book was created from
a 1971 reprint published by Dover Publications, Inc., New
York.

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FINGER PLAYS FOR NURSERY AND KINDERGARTEN ***

Transcriber’s Notes

This e-book was created from a modern reprint. Original publisher information has been added in brackets below. A header image for “The Lambs” is missing in the original.

Midi, PDF, and MusicXML files have been provided for the songs in this e-book. To hear a song, click on the [Listen] link. To view a song in sheet-music form, click on the [PDF] link. To view MusicXML code for a song, click on the [MusicXML] link. Lyrics contained in the music image are set forth in text below the image.

The picture parts of this e-book are best viewed at normal or medium text size.

CONTENTS

FINGER PLAYS

FOR NURSERY AND KINDERGARTEN

By
Emilie Poulsson

Music By
Cornelia C. Roeske

Illustrations By L.J. Bridgman

[D. Lothrop Company, Boston, 1893]

“WHAT THE CHILD IMITATES, HE BEGINS TO UNDERSTAND.”—Froebel.

PREFACE.

“What the child imitates,” says Froebel, “he begins to understand. Let him represent the flying of birds and he enters partially into the life of birds. Let him imitate the rapid motion of fishes in the water and his sympathy with fishes is quickened. Let him reproduce the activities of farmer, miller and baker, and his eyes open to the meaning of their work. In one word let him reflect in his play the varied aspects of life and his thought will begin to grapple with their significance.”

In all times and among all nations, finger-plays have been a delight of childhood. Countless babies have laughed and crowed over “Pat-a-cake” and other performances of the soft little hands; while children of whatever age never fail to find amusement in playing

“Here is the church,
And here’s the steeple,
Open the doors,
And here are the people!”

and others as well known.

Yet it is not solely upon the pleasure derived from them, that finger-plays depend for their raison d’etre. By their judicious and early use, the development of strength and flexibility in the tiny lax fingers may be assisted, and dormant thought may receive its first awakening call through the motions which interpret as well as illustrate the phase of life or activity presented by the words.

The eighteen finger-plays contained in this book have already, through publication in Babyland, been introduced to their especial public, and have been much used in homes, though perhaps more in kindergartens. It will readily be seen that while some of the plays are for the babies in the nursery, others are more suitable for older children.

A baby-friend, ten months old, plays “All for Baby” throughout, pounding and clapping gleefully with all his might—while children seven or eight years of age play and sing “The Caterpillar,” “How the Corn Grew” and others with very evident enjoyment.

With a little study of the charming and expressive pictures with which the artist, Mr. L.J. Bridgman, has so sympathetically illustrated the rhymes, mothers and kindergartners have easily understood what motions were intended. To elucidate still farther, however, the playing of “The Merry Little Men” may be thus described:

During the singing of the first verse, the children look about in every direction for the “little men,” but keep the hands hidden. At the beginning of the second verse, raise both hands to full view with fingers outspread and quiet. At the words, “The first to come,” etc., let the thumbs be shown alone, then the others as named in turn, till all are again outspread as at the beginning of the second verse. In the last verse the arms are moved from side to side, hands being raised and fingers fluttering nimbly all the time. When displaying the “busy little men,” raise the hands as high as possible.

The music, composed by Miss Cornelia C. Roeske, will be found melodious and attractive and especially suited to the voices and abilities of the very young children for whom it is chiefly intended.

The harmonic arrangement is also purposely simple in consideration of the many mothers and kindergartners who cannot devote time to preparatory practice.

Emilie Poulsson.

Boston, 1889.

CONTENTS.

| | PAGE
I. | The Little Men | 9
II. | The Lambs | 14
III. | The Hen and Chickens | 17
IV. | The Little Plant | 21
V. | The Pigs | 25
VI. | A Little Boy’s Walk | 29
VII. | The Caterpillar | 33
VIII. | All for Baby | 37
IX. | The Mice | 41
X. | The Squirrel | 45
XI. | The Sparrows | 49
XII. | The Counting Lesson | 53
XIII. | Mrs. Pussy’s Dinner | 57
XIV. | How the Corn Grew | 61
XV. | The Mill | 65
XVI. | Making Bread | 69
XVII. | Making Butter | 73
XVIII. | Santa Claus | 77

DEDICATED

TO

LITTLE CHILDREN

At Home and in Kindergarten

BY THEIR FRIEND,

EMILIE POULSSON.

I.—THE LITTLE MEN.

Oh! where are the merry, merry Little Men
To join us in our play?
And where are the busy, busy Little Men
To help us work to-day?

Upon each hand
A little band
For work or play is ready.
The first to come
Is Master Thumb;
Then Pointer, strong and steady;

Then Tall Man high;
And just close by
The Feeble Man doth linger;
And last of all,
So fair and small,
The baby—Little Finger.

Yes! here are the merry, merry Little Men
To join us in our play;
And here are the busy, busy Little Men
To help us work to-day.

THE MERRY LITTLE MEN.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

Oh! where are the merry, merry Little Men
To join us in our play?
And where are the busy, busy Little Men
To help us work to-day?

Upon each hand
A little band
For work or play is ready.
The first to come
Is Master Thumb;
Then Pointer, strong and steady;

Then Tall Man high;
And just close by
The Feeble Man doth linger;
And last of all,
So fair and small,
The baby—Little Finger.

Yes! here are the merry, merry Little Men
To join us in our play;
And here are the busy, busy Little Men
To help us work to-day.

II.—THE LAMBS.

This is the meadow where all the long day
Ten little frolicsome lambs are at play.

These are the measures the good farmer brings
Salt in, or cornmeal, and other good things.

This is the lambkins’ own big water-trough;
Drink, little lambkins, and then scamper off!

This is the rack where in winter they feed;
Hay makes a very good dinner indeed.

These are the big shears to shear the old sheep;
Dear little lambkins their soft wool may keep.

Here, with its big double doors shut so tight,
This is the barn where they all sleep at night.

THE LAMBS.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

1. This is the meadow where all the long day
Ten little frolicsome lambs are at play.
These are the measures the good farmer brings
Salt in, or corn meal, and other good things.

2. This is the lambkins’ own big water-trough;
Drink, little lambkins, and then scamper off!
This is the rack where in winter they feed;
Hay makes a very good dinner indeed.

3. These are the big shears to shear the old sheep;
Dear little lambkins their soft wool may keep.
Here, with its big double doors shut so tight,
This is the barn where they all sleep at night.

III.—THE HEN AND CHICKENS.

Good Mother Hen sits here on her nest,
Keeps the eggs warm beneath her soft breast,
Waiting, waiting, day after day.

Hark! there’s a sound she knows very well:
Some little chickens are breaking the shell,
Pecking, pecking, pecking away.

Now they’re all out, Oh, see what a crowd!
Good Mother Hen is happy and proud,
Cluck-cluck, cluck-cluck, clucking away.

Into the coop the mother must go;
But all the chickens run to and fro,
Peep-peep, peep-peep, peeping away.

Here is some corn in my little dish;
Eat, Mother Hen, eat all that you wish,
Picking, picking, picking away.

Happy we’ll be to see you again,
Dear little chicks and good Mother Hen!
Now good-by, good-by for to-day.

THE HEN AND CHICKENS.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

1. Good Mother Hen sits here on her nest,
Keeps the eggs warm beneath her soft breast,
Waiting, waiting, day after day.

2. Hark! there’s a sound she knows very well:
Some little chickens breaking the shell,
Pecking, pecking, pecking away.

3. Now they’re all out, oh, see what a crowd!
Good Mother Hen is happy and proud,
Cluck-cluck, cluck-cluck, clucking away.

4. Into the coop the mother must go;
While all the chickens run to and fro,
Peep-peep, peep-peep, peeping away.

5. Here is some corn in my little dish;
Eat, Mother Hen, eat all that you wish.
Picking, picking, picking away.

6. Happy we’ll be to see you again,
Dear little chicks and good Mother Hen!
Now good-bye, good-bye for to-day.

IV.—THE LITTLE PLANT.

In my little garden bed
Raked so nicely over,
First the tiny seeds I sow,
Then with soft earth cover.

Shining down, the great round sun
Smiles upon it often;
Little raindrops, pattering down,
Help the seeds to soften.

Then the little plant awakes!
Down the roots go creeping.
Up it lifts its little head
Through the brown mould peeping.

High and higher still it grows
Through the summer hours,
Till some happy day the buds
Open into flowers.

THE LITTLE PLANT.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. C.C. Roeske.

1. In my little garden bed
Rak’d so nicely over,
First the tiny seeds I sow,
Then with soft earth cover.
Shining down, the great round sun
Smiles upon it often;
Little raindrops, patt’ring down,
Help the seeds to soften.

2. Then the little plant awakes!
Down the roots go creeping.
Up it lifts its little head
Thro’ the brown mould peeping.
High and higher still it grows
Thro’ the summer hours,
Till some happy day the buds
Open into flowers.

V.—THE PIGS.

Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee,
Hungry pigs as pigs could be,
For their dinner had to wait
Down behind the barnyard gate.

Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee
Climbed the barnyard gate to see,
Peeping through the gate so high,
But no dinner could they spy.

Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee
Got down sad as pigs could be;
But the gate soon opened wide
And they scampered forth outside.

Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee,
What was their delight to see
Dinner ready not far off—
Such a full and tempting trough!

Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee,
Greedy pigs as pigs could be,
For their dinner ran pell-mell;
In the trough both piggies fell.

THE PIGS.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

1. Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee,
Hungry pigs as pigs could be,
For their dinner had to wait
Down behind the barnyard gate.

2. Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee
Climbed the barnyard gate to see,
Peeping through the gate so high,
But no dinner could they spy.

3. Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee
Got down sad as pigs could be;
But the gate soon opened wide
And they scampered forth outside.

4. Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee,
What was their delight to see
Dinner ready not far off—
Such a full and tempting trough!

5. Piggie Wig and Piggie Wee,
Greedy pigs as pigs could be,
For their dinner ran pell-mell;
In the trough both piggies fell.

VI.—A LITTLE BOY’S WALK.

A little boy went walking
One lovely summer’s day:
He saw a little rabbit
That quickly ran away;

He saw a shining river
Go winding in and out,
And little fishes in it
Were swimming all about;

And, slowly, slowly turning,
The great wheel of the mill;
And then the tall church steeple,
The little church so still;

The bridge above the water;
And when he stopped to rest,
He saw among the bushes
A wee ground-sparrow’s nest.

And as he watched the birdies
Above the tree-tops fly,
He saw the clouds a-sailing
Across the sunny sky.

He saw the insects playing;
The flowers that summer brings;
He said, “I’ll go tell mamma!
I’ve seen so many things!”

A LITTLE BOY’S WALK.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

A little boy went walking
One lovely summer’s day:
He saw a little rabbit
That quickly ran away;
He saw a shining river
Go winding in and out,
And little fishes in it
Were swimming all about.

And slowly, slowly turning,
The great wheel of the mill;
And then the tall church steeple,
The little church so still;
The bridge above the water;
And when he stopped to rest,
He saw among the bushes
A wee ground-sparrow’s nest,

And as he watched the birdies
Above the tree-tops fly,
He saw the clouds a-sailing
Across the sunny sky.
He saw the insects playing;
The flowers that summer brings;
He said, “I’ll go tell Mamma!
I’ve seen so many things.”

VII.—THE CATERPILLAR.

Fuzzy little caterpillar,
Crawling, crawling on the ground!
Fuzzy little caterpillar,
Nowhere, nowhere to be found,
Though we’ve looked and looked and hunted
Everywhere around!

When the little caterpillar
Found his furry coat too tight,
Then a snug cocoon he made him
Spun of silk so soft and light;
Rolled himself away within it—
Slept there day and night.

See how this cocoon is stirring!
Now a little head we spy—
What! Is this our caterpillar
Spreading gorgeous wings to dry?
Soon the free and happy creature
Flutters gayly by.

THE CATERPILLAR.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

1. Fuzzy little caterpillar,
Crawling, crawling on the ground!
Fuzzy little caterpillar,
Nowhere, nowhere to be found,
Tho’ we’ve looked and looked and hunted
Everywhere around!

2. When the little caterpillar
Found his furry coat too tight,
Then a snug cocoon he made him
Spun of silk so soft and light;
Rolled himself away within it—
Slept there day and night.

3. See how this cocoon is stirring!
Now a little head we spy—
What! is this our caterpillar
Spreading gorgeous wings to dry?
Soon the free and happy creature
Flutters gaily by.

VIII.—ALL FOR BABY.

Here’s a ball for Baby,
Big and soft and round!
Here is Baby’s hammer—
O, how he can pound!

Here is Baby’s music—
Clapping, clapping so!
Here are Baby’s soldiers,
Standing in a row!

Here’s the Baby’s trumpet,
Toot-too-toot! too-too!
Here’s the way that Baby
Plays at “Peep-a-boo!”

Here’s a big umbrella—
Keep the Baby dry!
Here’s the Baby’s cradle—
Rock-a-baby-by!

ALL FOR BABY.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

1. Here’s a ball for Baby,
Big and soft and round!
Here is Baby’s hammer—
O, how he can pound!

2. Here is Baby’s music
Clapping, clapping so!
Here are Baby’s soldiers,
Standing in a row!

3. Here’s the Baby’s trumpet,
Toot-too-toot! too-too!
Here’s the way that Baby
Plays at “Peep-a-boo!”

4. Here’s a big umbrella—
Keeps the Baby dry!
Here’s the Baby’s cradle—
Rock-a-baby by!

IX.—THE MICE.

Five little mice on the pantry floor,
Seeking for bread-crumbs or something more;

Five little mice on the shelf up high,
Feasting so daintily on a pie—

But the big round eyes of the wise old cat
See what the five little mice are at.

Quickly she jumps!—but the mice run away,
And hide in their snug little holes all day.

“Feasting in pantries may be very nice;
But home is the best!” say the five little mice.

FIVE LITTLE MICE.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

1. Five little mice on the pantry floor,
Seeking for bread crumbs or something more;
Five little mice on the shelf up high,
Feasting so daintily on a pie—
But the big round eyes of the wise old cat
See what the five little mice are at.
Quickly she jumps! but the mice run away.
And hide in their snug little holes all day.
“Feasting in pantries may be very nice;
But home is the best!” say the five little mice.

X.—THE SQUIRREL

“Little squirrel, living there
In the hollow tree,
I’ve a pretty cage for you;
Come and live with me!

“You may turn the little wheel—
That will be great fun!
Slowly round, or very fast
If you faster run.

“Little squirrel, I will bring
In my basket here
Every day a feast of nuts!
Come, then, squirrel dear.”

But the little squirrel said
From his hollow tree:
“Oh! no, no! I’d rather far
Live here and be free!”

So my cage is empty yet,
And the wheel is still;
But my little basket here
Oft with nuts I fill.

If you like, I’ll crack the nuts,
Some for you and me,
For the squirrel has enough
In his hollow tree.

THE SQUIRREL.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

1. “Little Squirrel, living there
In the hollow tree,
I’ve a pretty cage for you;
Come and live with me!
You may turn the little wheel—
That will be great fun!
Slowly round, or very fast
If you faster run.”

2. “Little Squirrel, I will bring
In my basket here
Every day a feast of nuts!
Come then, squirrel dear.”
But the little squirrel said
From his hollow tree:
“Oh! no, no! I’d rather far
Live here and be free.”

3. So my cage is empty yet
And the wheel is still;
But my little basket here
Oft with nuts I fill.
If you like, I’ll crack the nuts,
Some for you and me,
For the squirrel has enough
In his hollow tree.

XI.—THE SPARROWS.

“Little brown sparrows,
Flying around,
Up in the tree-tops,
Down on the ground,

“Come to my window,
Dear sparrows, come!
See! I will give you
Many a crumb.

“Here is some water,
Sparkling and clear;
Come, little sparrows,
Drink without fear.

“If you are tired,
Here is a nest;
Wouldn’t you like to
Come here to rest?”

All the brown sparrows
Flutter away,
Chirping and singing,
“We cannot stay;

“For in the tree-tops,
’Mong the gray boughs,
There is the sparrows’
Snug little house.”

THE SPARROWS.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. C.C. Roeske.

1. “Little brown sparrows,
Flying around,
Up in the tree-tops,
Down on the ground,
Come to my window,
Dear sparrows, come!
See! I will give you
Many a crumb.”

2. “Here is some water,
Sparkling and clear;
Come, little sparrows,
Drink without fear.
If you are tired,
Here is a nest;
Wouldn’t you like to
Come here and rest?”

3. All the brown sparrows
Flutter away,
Chirping and singing,
“We cannot stay;
For in the tree-tops,
’Mong the gray boughs,
There is the sparrows’
Snug little house.”

XII.—THE COUNTING LESSON.

(Right hand.)
Here is the beehive. Where are the bees?
Hidden away where nobody sees.
Soon they come creeping out of the hive—
One!—two!—three! four! five!

(Left hand.)
Once I saw an ant-hill
With no ants about;
So I said, “Dear little ants,
Won’t you please come out?”
Then as if the little ants
Had heard my call—
One! two! three! four! five came out!
And that was all!

THE COUNTING LESSON.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. C.C. Roeske.

1st Verse.

1. Here is the beehive. Where are the bees?
Hidden away where nobody sees.
Soon they come creeping out of the hive—
One!—two!—three! four! five!

2nd Verse.

2. Once I saw an ant hill
With no ants about;
So I said, “Dear little ants,
Won’t you please come out?”
Then as if the little ants
Had heard my call—
One! two! three! four! five came out!
And that was all!

XIII.—MRS. PUSSY’S DINNER.

Mrs. Pussy, sleek and fat,
With her kittens four,
Went to sleep upon the mat
By the kitchen door.

Mrs. Pussy heard a noise—
Up she jumped in glee:
“Kittens, maybe that’s a mouse!
Let us go and see!”

Creeping, creeping, creeping on,
Silently they stole;
But the little mouse had gone
Back within its hole.

“Well,” said Mrs. Pussy then,
“To the barn we’ll go;
We shall find the swallow there
Flying to and fro.”

So the cat and kittens four
Tried their very best;
But the swallows flying fast
Safely reached the nest!

Home went hungry Mrs. Puss
And her kittens four;
Found their dinner on a plate
By the kitchen door.

As they gathered round the plate,
They agreed ’twas nice
That it could not run away
Like the birds and mice!

MRS. PUSSY’S DINNER.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. C.C. Roeske.

1. Mrs. Pussy, sleek and fat,
With her kittens four,
Went to sleep upon the mat
By the kitchen door.

2. Mrs. Pussy heard a noise—
Up she jumped in glee:
“Kittens, maybe that’s a mouse!
Let us go and see!”

3. Creeping, creeping, creeping on,
Silently they stole;
But the little mouse had gone
Back within its hole.

4. “Well,” said Mrs. Pussy then,
“To the barn we’ll go;
We shall find the swallows there
Flying to and fro.”

5. So the cat and kittens four
Tried their very best;
But the swallows flying fast
Safely reached the nest!

6. Home went hungry Mrs. Puss
And her kittens four;
Found their dinner on a plate
By the kitchen door.

7. As they gathered round the plate,
They agreed ’twas nice
That it could not run away
Like the birds and mice!

XIV.—HOW THE CORN GREW.

There was a field that waiting lay,
All hard and brown and bare;
There was a thrifty farmer came
And fenced it in with care.

Then came a plowman with his plow;
From early until late,
Across the field and back again,
He plowed the furrows straight.

The harrow then was brought to make
The ground more soft and loose;
And soon the farmer said with joy,
“My field is fit for use.”

For many days the farmer then
Was working with his hoe;
And little Johnny brought the corn
And dropped the kernels—so!

And there they lay, until awaked
By tapping rains that fell,
Then pushed their green plumes up to greet
The sun they loved so well.

Then flocks and flocks of hungry crows
Came down the corn to taste;
But ba-ang!—went the farmer’s gun
And off they flew in haste.

Then grew and grew the corn, until,
When autumn days had come,
With sickles keen they cut it down,
And sang the “Harvest Home.”

HOW THE CORN GREW.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

1. There was a field that waiting lay,
All hard and brown and bare;
There was a thrifty farmer came
And fenced it in with care,
There was a thrifty farmer came
And fenced it in with care.

2. Then came a ploughman with his plough;
From early until late,
Across the field and back again,
He ploughed the furrows straight.

3. The harrow then was brought to make
The ground more soft and loose;
And soon the farmer said with joy,
“My field is fit for use.”

4. For many days the farmer then
Was working with his hoe;
And little Johnny brought the corn
And dropped the kernels—so!

5. And there they lay, until awaked
By tapping rains that fell,
Then pushed their green plumes up to greet
The sun they loved so well.

6. Then flocks and flocks of hungry crows
Came down the corn to taste;
But ba-ang! went the farmer’s gun,
And off they flew in haste.

7. Then grew and grew the corn, until,
When autumn days had come,
With sickles keen they cut it down,
And sang the “Harvest Home.”

XV.—THE MILL.

A merry little river
Went singing day by day,
Until it reached a mill-dam
That stretched across its way.

And there it spread its waters,
A quiet pond, to wait
Until the busy miller
Should lift the water-gate.

Then, hurrying through the gateway,
The dashing waters found
A mighty millwheel waiting,
And turned it swiftly round.

But faster turned the millstones
Up in the dusty mill,
And quickly did the miller
With corn the hopper fill.

And faster yet and faster
The heavy stones went round,
Until the golden kernels
To golden meal were ground.

“Now fill the empty hopper
With wheat,” the miller said;
“We’ll grind this into flour
To make the children’s bread.”

And still, as flowed the water,
The mighty wheel went round;
And still, as turned the millstones,
The corn and grain were ground.

And busy was the miller
The livelong day, until
The water-gate he fastened,
And silent grew the mill.

THE MILL.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

1. A merry little river
Went singing day by day,
Until it reached a mill-dam
That stretched across its way.
And there it spread its waters,
A quiet pond, to wait
Until the busy miller
Should lift the water gate.

2. Then, hurrying through the gateway,
The dashing waters found
A mighty millwheel waiting—
And turned it swiftly round.
But faster turned the millstone
Up in the dusty mill,
And quickly did the miller
With corn the hopper fill.

3. And faster yet and faster
The heavy stones went round,
Until the golden kernels
To golden meal were ground.
“Now, fill the empty hopper
With wheat,” the miller said;
“We’ll grind this into flour
To make the children’s bread.”

4. And still, as flowed the water,
The mighty wheel went round;
And still, as turned the millstones,
The corn and grain were ground.
And busy was the miller
The livelong day, until
The water gate he fastened,
And silent grew the mill.

XVI.—MAKING BREAD.

“The farmer and the miller
Have worked,” the mother said,
“And got the flour ready,
So I will make the bread.”
She scooped from out the barrel
The flour white as snow,
And in her sieve she put it
And shook it to and fro.

Then in the pan of flour
A little salt she threw;
A cup of yeast she added,
And poured in water, too.
To mix them all together
She stirred with busy might,
Then covered it and left it
Until the bread was light.

More flour then she sifted
And kneaded well the dough,
And in the waiting oven
The loaves of bread did go.
The mother watched the baking,
And turned the loaves, each one,
Until at last, rejoicing,
She said, “My bread is done!”

MAKING BREAD.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. C.C. Roeske.

1. “The farmer and the miller
Have work’d,” the mother said,
“And got the flour ready,
So I will make the bread.”
She scooped from out the barrel
The flour white as snow,
And in her sieve she put it
And shook it to and fro.

2. Then in the pan of flour
A little salt she threw;
A cup of yeast she added,
And poured in water, too.
To mix them all together
She stirred with busy might,
Then covered it and left it
Until the bread was light.

3. More flour then she sifted
And kneaded well the dough,
And in the waiting oven
The loaves of bread did go.
The mother watched the baking,
And turned the loaves, each one,
Until at last, rejoicing,
She said, “My bread is done!”

XVII.—MAKING BUTTER.

Skim, skim, skim,
With the skimmer bright;
Take the rich and yellow cream,
Leave the milk so white.

Churn, churn, churn,
Now ’tis churning day;
Till the cream to butter turn
Dasher must not stay.

Press, press, press;
All the milk must be
From the golden butter now
Pressed out carefully.

Pat, pat, pat;
Make it smooth and round.
See! the roll of butter’s done—
Won’t you buy a pound?

Taste, oh! taste,
This is very nice;
Spread it on the children’s bread,
Give them each a slice.

MAKING BUTTER.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. C.C. Roeske.

1. Skim, skim, skim,
With the skimmer bright;
Take the rich and yellow cream,
Leave the milk so white.

2. Churn, churn, churn,
Now ’tis churning day;
Till the cream to butter turn
Dasher must not stay.

3. Press, press, press;
All the milk must be
From the golden butter now
Pressed out carefully.

4. Pat, pat, pat,
Make it smooth and round.
See! the roll of butter’s done—
Won’t you buy a pound?

5. Taste, oh! taste,
This is very nice.
Spread it on the children’s bread,
Give them each a slice.

XVIII.—SANTA CLAUS.

O, clap, clap the hands,
And sing out with glee
For Christmas is coming
And merry are we!

Now swift o’er the snow
The tiny reindeer
Are trotting and bringing
Good Santa Claus near.

Our stockings we’ll hang,
And while we’re asleep
Then down through the chimney
Will Santa Claus creep.

He’ll empty his pack,
Then up he will come
And, calling his reindeer,
Will haste away home.

Then clap, clap the hands!
And sing out with glee,
For Christmas is coming
And merry are we!

SANTA CLAUS.

[Listen] [PDF] [MusicXML]

Emilie Poulsson. Cornelia C. Roeske.

1. O, clap, clap the hands,
And sing out with glee!
For Christmas is coming and merry are we!
Now swift o’er the snow
The tiny reindeer
Are trotting and bringing
Good Santa Claus near.

2. O, clap, clap the hands,
And sing out with glee!
For Christmas is coming and merry are we!
Our stockings we’ll hang,
And while we’re asleep
Then down thro’ the chimney
Will Santa Claus creep.

3. O, clap, clap the hands,
And sing out with glee!
For Christmas is coming and merry are we!
He’ll empty his pack,
Then up he will come
And calling the reindeer,
Will haste away home.

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Table of Contents

- FINGER PLAYS

- FOR NURSERY AND KINDERGARTEN

- PREFACE.

- CONTENTS.

- THE MERRY LITTLE MEN.

- THE LAMBS.

- THE HEN AND CHICKENS.

- THE LITTLE PLANT.

- THE PIGS.

- A LITTLE BOY’S WALK.

- THE CATERPILLAR.

- ALL FOR BABY.

- FIVE LITTLE MICE.

- THE SQUIRREL.

- THE SPARROWS.

- THE COUNTING LESSON.

- MRS. PUSSY’S DINNER.

- HOW THE CORN GREW.

- THE MILL.

- MAKING BREAD.

- MAKING BUTTER.

- SANTA CLAUS.

- THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE