Cross Patch Lyrics
"Cross patch" was an old nickname for a grumpy person. This short rhyme tells a grump to shut the door, sit by the fire and spin, then have a warm drink and invite the neighbors in.
Cross Patch
Cross patch, draw the latch,
Sit by the fire and spin;
Take a cup and drink it up,
Then call your neighbors in.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/cross-patch/
- Type
- Mother Goose
- Tune
- Spoken rhyme
- Best for ages
- 3 to 8 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Cross patch, draw the latch | Fold your arms and frown, then pull a pretend door latch. |
| Sit by the fire and spin | Sit down and wind pretend wool around your hand. |
| Take a cup and drink it up | Sip from a pretend cup. |
| Then call your neighbors in | Wave everyone over with a big smile. |
What Does Cross Patch Mean?
Being "cross" means being grumpy. The rhyme is a little recipe for getting over a bad mood: take some quiet time by the fire, keep your hands busy, have a warm drink, and then enjoy some company. "Draw the latch" means close the door, and "spin" means spinning wool into thread, a common job at home long ago.
History and Origin
"Crosspatch" has been an English word for a bad-tempered person since at least the 1700s, and this rhyme was part of nursery collections by the 1800s.
Learning Activities
- Mood talk: ask what helps your child when they feel cross.
- Calm corner: set up a cozy spot with a blanket and a drink for grumpy moments.