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
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
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.”