Song of the Month

Every month the song/dance/activity will change. Many of the songs will be from my Recordings. Please print the page and do the activity with your child. Teachers may print the page to use with their classes. If you have questions, Contact Me.

July 2010

Wishy Washy Washerwoman

Listen to the whole song on Baloney, or hear it here:

Here's the Sneak Preview of my new "BALONEY!" that I promised. I'm still hoping to have it out by the end of July – and I think it'll be worth waiting for!

"Wishy Washy Washerwoman" is a camp song – with many verses made up by campers across the country. I've added my own "goodbye" verse – hey, if we can learn "hello" in other languages, why not "goodbye", too!

I first fell in love with this song by seeing 2 kooky camp counselors on Greenghoulie.com hamming it up and having a great time with it. I began thinking about the possibilities – we sing the tongue-twisting "wishy washy washerwoman" for starters, but by adding movements, we can Cross the Midline (necessary for reading), make side-by-side circular motions (wonderful coordination exercise), and patsch (pat knees) to the beat (never miss an opportunity to practice steady-beat work!) AND it's a zipper song – same song with a different motion/action lyric each time, so it's easy to sing along with quickly!

Lyrics:

Waaay down in the valley where nobody goes
There's a wishy washy washerwoman washing her clothes
She goes wishy washy up, she goes wishy washy down
She goes wishy washy up, she goes wishy washy down
That's how the wishy washy washerwoman washes her clothes!

V.2: drying her clothes, she goes whoo-eee!
V.3: folding her clothes, she goes side, side
V.4: eating Oreos, she goes dunk, ummm
V.5: saying adios, she goes bye bye, ta ta, au revoir, ciao baby!
Dance Form:

On "Waaay" – put both hands overhead and shake them!
For lines 1, 2 and 5, pat hands on thighs to the beat
For lines 4/5:
    V.1 Zigzag hands (L/R/L) from lap to overhead and back down (R/L/R)
    V.2 Make a side-by-side circle in front, first counter clockwise, then clockwise
    V.3 Clap hands to the right, then left (repeat)
    V.4 Hold imaginary cookie in one hand, pretend to dunk in glass of milk!
    V.5 Wave hand goodbye, then blow a kiss at the end!

Age Range: 3 - 8 years old

Purpose: As stated above, you'll be crossing the midline, patting a steady beat, doing coordination exercises, all while singing along!

(graphic)

More Songs of the Month