Clap Hands, Clap Hands Lyrics
Four short lines and a lot of clapping. The baby claps until father gets home, and the last two lines add a little family joke about who has the money.
Clap Hands, Clap Hands
Clap hands, clap hands!
Till father comes home;
For father's got money,
But mother's got none.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/clap-hands-clap-hands/
- Type
- Action Songs
- Tune
- Chanted rhyme
- Best for ages
- 6 months to 3 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Clap hands, clap hands | Clap the baby's hands together in time. |
| Till father comes home | Keep clapping and look toward the door. |
| For father's got money | Rub your fingers together as if holding coins. |
| But mother's got none | Show two empty hands. |
What Does Clap Hands, Clap Hands Mean?
The baby claps while waiting for father to come home. In many families long ago, the father was paid his wages at the end of the week, so his arrival could mean a treat for everyone. The last line is a joke: mother's purse is empty until then.
History and Origin
James Orchard Halliwell collected this clapping rhyme for The Nursery Rhymes of England. Rhymes about waiting for a parent to come home were common in Britain, and the Scottish version, Clap, Clap Handies, has the same idea.
Learning Activities
- Fast and slow: clap slowly the first time, then faster each time you repeat it.
- Empty hands: on the last line, open your hands wide and let your child do the same.
- Who's coming? change father to grandma, auntie or a friend who visits often.