The Ukulele Song (Oo-koo-leh-leh)
Music & words by Rose Oyamot Rodriguez of Ukulele Storytime
Note: This can be played with a simple strum – whatever is comfortable for you!
This is also a fun song to teach the Hawaiian word UKULELE (pronounced Oo-Koo-Leh-Leh – not too emphasized – a little soft on the Leh-Leh)
Fun fact: the Hawaiian alphabet did not have the YEW sound for the vowel “U” – this vowel in Hawaiian is pronounced OO!
UKU (Oo-Koo) means “flea”
LELE (Leh-Leh) means “jumping”
As the story goes, a long time ago, when this little instrument from Portugal was introduced to people of Hawaii, it was played so quick that it seemed like fleas were jumping!
Movements to incorporate: strumming your pretend ukulele, bumping your hips side to side, jumping like fleas, and getting itchy, itchy (all over)
Finally, here’s the song and ukulele chords!
Opening with Hawaiian Vamp: D7 / G7 / C
OR SIMPLE OPENING TO SONG:
Count off:
1 – 2 , 1 – 2 – 3!
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
C C
<Bump-Bump>
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
G7 G7
<Bump-Bump>
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
F F
<Bump-Bump>
C G7 C
Ukulele means jumping flea
(REPEAT 1X)
Bridge:
F
Oh, jumping flea
C
Don’t jump on me
F
For if you do
G7
I get so itchy, itchy!
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
C C
<Bump-Bump>
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
G7 G7
<Bump-Bump>
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
F F
<Bump-Bump>
C G7 C
Ukulele means jumping flea
SPOKEN:
<STRUM ON C>
Now, are you strumming your ukulele?
Are you jumping like fleas?
Are you getting so itchy, itchy?
Well, here we go!
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
C C
<Bump-Bump>
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
G7 G7
<Bump-Bump>
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
F F
<Bump-Bump>
C G7 C
Ukulele means jumping flea
(REPEAT 1X)
Bridge:
F
Oh, jumping flea
C
Don’t jump on me
F
For if you do
G7
I get so itchy, itchy!
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
C C
<Bump-Bump>
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
G7 G7
<Bump-Bump>
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
F F
<Bump-Bump>
C G7 C
Ukulele means jumping flea
Ending:
C G7 C
Ukulele don’t jump on me
C G7 C
Ukulele, ukulele, ukulele!
SIMPLE ENDING CHORDS:
G7 / C
OR END WITH HAWAIIAN VAMP:
D7 / G7 / C