Clap, Clap Handies Lyrics
Daddy is on his way home, and the baby claps along while waiting at the door. This little Scottish clapping rhyme is made for small hands and a lap.
Clap, Clap Handies
Clap, clap handies,
Mammie's wee, wee ain;
Clap, clap handies,
Daddie's comin' hame;
Hame till his bonny wee bit laddie;
Clap, clap handies,
My wee, wee ain.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/clap-clap-handies/
- Type
- Action Songs
- Tune
- Chanted or sung
- Best for ages
- 6 months to 3 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Clap, clap handies | Help the baby clap their hands together. |
| Daddie's comin' hame | Point to the door or window. |
| Hame till his bonny wee bit laddie | Give the baby a cuddle. |
| My wee, wee ain | Clap once more and kiss the baby's hands. |
What Does Clap, Clap Handies Mean?
The words are Scots. Mammie's wee, wee ain means "Mommy's own little one", hame is home, till means to, bonny means lovely, and a laddie is a boy. So the rhyme says: clap your hands, Daddy is coming home to his lovely little boy.
History and Origin
Walter Jerrold included the rhyme in The Big Book of Nursery Rhymes (1903). Clapping rhymes are among the first games babies learn, and nearly every language has one. The English cousin is Pat-a-Cake.
Learning Activities
- Waiting game: say it while waiting for a parent or grandparent to come home.
- Change the name: swap laddie for lassie, or use your child's own name.
- Scots words: learn wee, hame and bonny, which are still used in Scotland today.