Wash the Dishes, Wipe the Dishes Lyrics
The washing-up is done, the tea bell rings, and the singer hands out three good wishes and three kisses. A four-line clapping rhyme for two.
Wash the Dishes, Wipe the Dishes
Wash the dishes, wipe the dishes,
Ring the bell for tea;
Three good wishes, three good kisses,
I will give to thee.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/wash-the-dishes/
- Type
- Action Songs, Mother Goose
- Tune
- Clapping rhyme, spoken or chanted
- Best for ages
- 2 to 7 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Wash the dishes, wipe the dishes | Rub your palms in circles, then wipe one hand on the other. |
| Ring the bell for tea | Shake a pretend hand bell. |
| Three good wishes, three good kisses | Clap your partner's hands three times, then blow three kisses. |
What Does Wash the Dishes, Wipe the Dishes Mean?
The rhyme follows a household routine: dishes washed and dried, then a bell rung to call everyone to tea. In big old houses a bell often told the family that a meal was ready. The last two lines turn the chore into a treat, with wishes and kisses for whoever is listening, usually a parent or a little brother or sister.
History and Origin
This version is from The Little Mother Goose (1912). Rhymes like this were used for hand-clapping games, with partners facing each other and clapping on the strong beats.
Learning Activities
- Clap it: face a partner and clap each other's hands on wash, wipe, ring and tea.
- Real dishes: say it while children help dry the plastic cups after a meal.
- Three wishes: ask each child what their three good wishes would be.