This popular children's song has interesting beginnings. It was a popular "partner stealing dance" form the American frontier. A group of couples would dance in a circle holding hands with one boy in the middle, "lost my partner, what'll I do?". He would "find a partner prettier 'n you" and take the hand of a girl in the circle. Her partner would then go to the center of the circle. According to Wikipedia, the "lou" in the chorus comes from "loo", the Scottish word for love.
This energetic song can be used as a warmup as a circle dance, much as it was originally used. It can also be used with individuals skipping in place and singing along with the chorus, "skip, skip, skip to my lou."
UNITS: This song is a great accompaniment to lessons on dancing and exercise and on American history.
WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THE SONG:
ALICE BACKER - vocals and fiddle JEFFREY FRIEDBERG - vocals, banjo and acoustic guitar JOE ANGELORI - vocals and bass
1. Children form circle - each has a partner 2. One child is in the middle of the circle 3. On the "find another one prettier 'n you" verse the child in the center takes the hand of someone in the circle and joins them. Their partner goes to the middle of the circle.
Alternate Activity: During chorus, children skip in place and sing along. During the "flies in the buttermilk, shoo fly shoo" verse, children wave hands side to side, pretending to shoo flies. Children can sing along with other verses or tap tambourines.
guitar chords
This song is so much fun to play! Gotta love the G, C, D progression.
Lyrics
She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes She'll be coming 'round the mountain She'll be coming 'round the mountain She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes
She'll be driving six white horses when she comes She'll be driving six white horses when she comes She'll be driving six white horses She'll be driving six white horses She'll be driving six white horses when she comes
Oh we'll all go out to meet her when she comes...
Oh we'll all eat chicken and dumplings when she comes...