Darby and Joan Were Dressed in Black Lyrics
Darby and Joan march along in black, foot for foot and knee for knee, then turn about. A four-line marching rhyme named after the most famous old couple in English.
Darby and Joan Were Dressed in Black
Darby and Joan were dress'd in black,
Sword and buckle behind their back;
Foot for foot, and knee for knee,
Turn about Darby's company.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/darby-and-joan/
- Type
- Action Songs
- Tune
- Chanted marching rhyme
- Best for ages
- 3 to 8 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Darby and Joan were dress'd in black | March on the spot, side by side with a partner. |
| Sword and buckle behind their back | Put your hands behind your back. |
| Foot for foot, and knee for knee | Step in time with your partner. |
| Turn about Darby's company | Turn round together and march the other way. |
What Does Darby and Joan Were Dressed in Black Mean?
Darby and Joan is an old English phrase for a loving elderly couple who do everything together. Here they march in step, dressed in black, with a sword and buckle at their backs. "Turn about" is the order to turn round, like soldiers on parade.
History and Origin
James Orchard Halliwell printed the rhyme with a note calling it "a marching air". The names come from an English ballad of the 1700s about a devoted old couple, and "a real Darby and Joan" is still used for a pair who have been together for many years.
Learning Activities
- Partner march: march in step with a partner and turn on the last line.
- Grandparents: talk about a couple you know who have been together a long time.
- Parade: line up the whole family and march around the house.