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The Ukulele Song (Oo-koo-leh-leh)

A ukulele on a beach. Text reads: The Ukulele Song followed by the writer's name: ROSE OYAMOT RODRIGUEZ

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

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