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Row Row Row Your Boat for Storytime

row boat

Row Row Row Your Boat – Multiple Versions for Storytime

Ms. Christina shares her favorite version of this classic children’s song — with animal sounds for storytime.

Copyright: Public domain.

Lyrics and Chords:

[C] Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream.

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, [G7] life is but a [C] dream.

CROCODILE VERSE

[C] Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream.

If you see a crocodile, [G7] don’t forget to [C] scream.

Ahhhhhhhhh!

LION VERSE

[C] Row, row, row your boat, gently down the shore.

If you see a lion there, [G7] don’t forget to [C] roar.

Roooaaar!

POLAR BEAR VERSE

[C] Row, row, row your boat, gently down the river.

If you see a polar bear, [G7] don’t forget to [C] shiver.

Brrrrrr!

LITTLE MOUSE VERSE

[C] Row, row, row your boat, gently down the creek.

If you see a little mouse, [G7] don’t forget to [C] squeak.

Squeak, squeak, squeak!

MERMAID VERSE – Submitted by Storytime Solidarity Member Debbie Lynn

Row row row your boat

Gently out to sea

If you see a mermaid

Blow her a kiss from me — Muaaa! [kiss hand throw]

ROCK THE BOAT VERSE – Submitted and performed by Librarians With Ukes Member Dedra Van Gelder – Found on the King County Library System website*

Rock rock rock your boat

gently to and fro

Look out! Give a shout!

Into the water you go — Uh-oh!

PIGGYBACK VERSION – Written by Kate Reynolds, the Lavender Librarian

Wear Wear Wear Your Mask

Wear, wear, wear your mask

When your house you leave!

Your mask can keep your germs inside

Even when you sneeze!

 

*Discover Many More Verses on the King County Library System Website

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Skills and benefits:

Vocabulary, phonological awareness, movement.

Origins:

First publications of “Row Row Row Your Boat” appeared in mid-1800s. The original writer is unknown. Multiple sources cite Eliphalet Oram Lyte (1842-1913) as the original composer of the tune, having “adapted the lyrics, previously published to a different melody.”

 

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