I've a Glove in My Hand Lyrics
A child walks round the outside of the ring with a glove, chanting faster and faster, then drops it behind someone. Whoever has the glove gives chase.
I've a Glove in My Hand
I've a glove in my hand,
Hittity Hot!
Another in my other hand,
Hotter than that!
So I sow beans, and so they come up,
Some in a mug, and some in a cup.
I sent a letter to my love,
I lost it, I lost it!
I found it, I found it!
It burns, it scalds!
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/ive-a-glove-in-my-hand/
- Type
- Action Songs
- Tune
- Chanted, faster at the end
- Best for ages
- 4 to 9 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| I've a glove in my hand | Hold up a glove or mitten and walk round the ring. |
| So I sow beans, and so they come up | Scatter pretend beans and pop them up with your fingers. |
| I lost it, I lost it! | Look all around as if searching. |
| It burns, it scalds! | Say it faster and faster, then drop the glove behind someone. |
What Does I've a Glove in My Hand Mean?
Hittity hot is nonsense that sounds lively, and "hotter than that" builds the excitement. The letter that is lost and found is the same idea as in Lucy Locket and A-Tisket, A-Tasket. When the chanter says "it burns, it scalds" faster and faster, everyone knows the glove is about to drop.
History and Origin
James Orchard Halliwell describes the game, called Drop-Glove, in Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales (1849). Children stand round in a circle with a space between each. One walks round the outside with a glove, repeating the last words very fast until she drops it behind someone, who must follow her exactly in and out until she catches her.
Learning Activities
- Play it: use a glove or mitten and leave gaps in the circle for weaving.
- Speed up: practice saying the last line slowly, then very fast.
- Safety first: walk, do not run, around younger children in the ring.