See-Saw, Jack a Daw Lyrics
A seesaw rhyme in Scots. The crow has no stockings to put on, and the jackdaw has none to give her. What is a crow to do?
See-Saw, Jack a Daw
See-saw, jack a daw,
What is a craw to do wi' her?
She has not a stocking to put on her,
And the craw has not one for to gi' her.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/see-saw-jack-a-daw/
- Type
- Mother Goose, Animal Rhymes
- Tune
- Chanted seesaw rhyme
- Best for ages
- 2 to 6 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| See-saw, jack a daw | Rock up and down like a seesaw. |
| She has not a stocking to put on her | Point at your bare feet. |
| And the craw has not one for to gi' her | Shrug and hold out empty hands. |
What Does See-Saw, Jack a Daw Mean?
The rhyme uses Scots words. A craw is a crow, wi' means with and gi' means give. A jackdaw is a small crow with grey on its neck. The joke is a bird worrying about stockings, which no bird needs, and the rhythm matches the up and down of a seesaw.
History and Origin
Its Scots words suggest it comes from Scotland or the north of England, and it appears in Halliwell's The Nursery Rhymes of England. It belongs with other seesaw rhymes such as See-Saw, Margery Daw, which share the same rocking beat.
Learning Activities
- Seesaw: say it on a seesaw or while rocking together.
- Scots words: learn craw, wi' and gi' and use them today.
- Bird watch: look for crows and jackdaws and compare their sizes.