"Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" is a

children's song A children's song may be a nursery rhyme set to music, a song that children invent and share among themselves or a modern creation intended for entertainment, use in the home or education. Although children's songs have been recorded and studied ...

. The song was documented as early as 1961. It is often sung to the tune of " There Is a Tavern in the Town", although it is sometimes sung to the tune of "

London Bridge Is Falling Down "London Bridge Is Falling Down" (also known as "My Fair Lady" or "London Bridge") is a traditional English nursery rhyme and singing game, which is found in different versions all over the world. It deals with the dilapidation of London Bridge ...

Description

There is generally only one verse with lyrics similar to those below. The second line repeats the first line both in words and in melody, the third line has a rising tone, and the fourth line repeats the first two. Children might dance while they sing the song and touch their head, shoulders, knees, and toes in sequence to the words.

Lyrics

:: Head,

shoulder The human shoulder is made up of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone) as well as associated muscles, ligaments and tendons. The articulations between the bones of the shoulder mak ...

s, knees and

toe Toes are the digits (fingers) of the foot of a tetrapod. Animal species such as cats that walk on their toes are described as being ''digitigrade''. Humans, and other animals that walk on the soles of their feet, are described as being ''plan ...

s, ::knees and toes ::Head, shoulders, knees and toes, ::knees and toes ::And eyes and

ear An ear is the organ that enables hearing and, in mammals, body balance using the vestibular system. In mammals, the ear is usually described as having three parts—the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer ear consists of ...

s and mouth and

nose A nose is a protuberance in vertebrates that houses the nostrils, or nares, which receive and expel air for respiration alongside the mouth. Behind the nose are the olfactory mucosa and the sinuses. Behind the nasal cavity, air next passes ...

::Head, shoulders, knees and toes, ::knees and toes. The lyrics can also be sung in reverse, like this: ::Toes, knees and shoulders, head, ::shoulders, head ::Toes, knees and shoulders, head, ::shoulders, head ::And nose and mouth and ears and eyes ::Toes, knees and shoulders, head, ::shoulders, head. Each verse is repeated, with one word being omitted each time, just touching their

body Body may refer to: In science * Physical body, an object in physics that represents a large amount, has mass or takes up space * Body (biology), the physical material of an organism * Body plan, the physical features shared by a group of anima ...

parts, without actually saying the word. For example: ::Verse 2 ::----, shoulders, knees and toes ::Verse 3 ::----, ----, knees and toes ::Verse 4 ::----, ----, ----, and toes ::Verse 5 ::----, ----, ----, and ---- This pattern continues until all the words are omitted. The last verse consists of no actual singing or singing all lyrics, but sometimes at a much faster tempo. There is a song that was adapted from the traditional; it uses another tune and says, "Eyes and ears", "Chin/Mouth and nose" and suggests touching the body parts as in the traditional song. Another alternative from the traditional starts the line with "Eyes" and includes "chin;" however, it has the words in an order that causes the motions to zig zag. Today there are many derivative songs that similarly teach the vocabulary of body parts. One example, using the same tune, as featured on the ''

Kidsongs ''Kidsongs'' is an American children's media franchise that includes Kidsongs Music Video Stories on DVD and video, The Kidsongs TV Show, CDs of favorite children's songs, song books, sheet music, toys and an ecommerce website. It was created by ...

'' video entitled, "Boppin' with the Biggles" is as follows: :: Feet and tummies arms and chins, :: arms and chins :: Feet and tummies arms and chins, :: arms and chins :: And eyes and ears and mouth and shins :: Feet and tummies arms and chins, :: arms and chins :: Hands and fingers legs and lips, :: legs and lips :: Hands and fingers legs and lips, :: legs and lips :: And eyes and ears and mouth and hips :: Hands and fingers legs and lips, :: legs and lips

References

{{Authority control English folk songs English children's songs Traditional children's songs Singing games