Push the Business On Lyrics
A lively dancing song: hire a horse, borrow a gig, and get everyone dancing. The chorus, "to push the business on", keeps the circle moving.
Push the Business On
I hired a horse and borrowed a gig,
And all the world shall have a jig;
And I'll do all 'at ever I can
To push the business on.
To push the business on,
To push the business on;
And I'll do all 'at ever I can
To push the business on.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/push-the-business-on/
- Type
- Action Songs
- Tune
- Sung dancing game
- Best for ages
- 5 to 10 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| I hired a horse and borrowed a gig | Hold your partner's hands and step in a circle. |
| And all the world shall have a jig | Skip round together. |
| To push the business on | Let go and move on to the next partner. |
What Does Push the Business On Mean?
A gig was a light, two-wheeled cart pulled by one horse. A jig is a lively dance. "Push the business on" means keep things moving, and in the game it is the signal to move on to a new partner. "All 'at ever I can" is an old country way of saying "all that ever I can".
History and Origin
Alice Bertha Gomme collected several versions from Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire for The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (volume 2, 1898). Players danced in pairs and changed partners at the chorus, so everyone danced with everyone.
Learning Activities
- Partner swap: dance in pairs and change partners on the chorus.
- Horse and gig: look at pictures of a pony and gig.
- Jig music: play a fast fiddle tune and skip along.