A Ha'penny Puddin', a Ha'penny Pie Lyrics
A quick counting-out rhyme from Scotland. Point at one player per beat, and whoever gets the last word stands out of the game.
A Ha'penny Puddin', a Ha'penny Pie
A ha'penny puddin', a ha'penny pie,
Stand you there, you're out by.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/a-hapenny-puddin/
- Type
- Counting Rhymes
- Tune
- Chanted counting-out rhyme
- Best for ages
- 4 to 10 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| A ha'penny puddin', a ha'penny pie | Point at a new player on each beat. |
| Stand you there, you're out by | The last player pointed at steps out. |
What Does A Ha'penny Puddin', a Ha'penny Pie Mean?
A ha'penny is a halfpenny, a small coin worth half a penny. A ha'penny pudding and a ha'penny pie were cheap treats. Out by means out of the game, standing to one side. Children repeat the rhyme until only one player is left, and that player is "it".
History and Origin
Robert Ford included it in Children's Rhymes, Children's Games, Children's Songs, Children's Stories (1904), noting that it also appears in Robert Chambers' Popular Rhymes of Scotland.
Learning Activities
- Choose who is it: use the rhyme before a game of tag.
- Coin talk: explain what a halfpenny was and what it might have bought.
- Compare: try other counting-out rhymes and see which is fastest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ha'penny?
A halfpenny, a small coin worth half a penny.
What does out by mean?
Out of the game, standing to one side.