Where Do All the Daisies Go? Lyrics
Three questions with three sure answers. The daisies creep under the snow to sleep until spring, the birds fly far away to the warm South until the daisies bloom again, and the babies go to the warm firelight, safe in their mothers' arms.
Where Do All the Daisies Go?
Where do all the daisies go?
I know, I know!
Underneath the snow they creep,
Nod their little heads and sleep,
In the springtime out they peep;
That is where they go!
Where do all the birdies go?
I know, I know!
Far away from winter snow
To the fair, warm South they go;
There they stay till daisies blow,
That is where they go!
Where do all the babies go?
I know, I know!
In the glancing firelight warm,
Safely sheltered from all harm,
Soft they lie on mother's arm,
That is where they go!
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/where-do-all-the-daisies-go/
- Type
- Poems for Children
- Tune
- A soft question and a confident "I know, I know!", with a soft falling tune on the last line of each verse
- Best for ages
- 2 to 6 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Nod their little heads and sleep, | Nod your head slowly, then rest it on your folded hands. |
| Soft they lie on mother's arm, | Rock your arms as if holding a baby. |
What Does Where Do All the Daisies Go? Mean?
Every verse of this poem asks where something goes in winter, and answers with a calm I know, I know! The daisies creep underneath the snow, nod their little heads and sleep, and peep out again in springtime. The birdies go far away from the winter snow to the warm South, and stay there until the daisies blow, which means until they come into flower. And the babies go to the warm light of the fire, safe from all harm, lying on mother's arm.
The sixth line of each verse is the same: that is where they go! That repeat makes it easy to join in, and it turns the poem into a calm answer to a child's winter questions. The third verse is a comfort in the middle of the cold season. The poem rhymes in a steady pattern, with a short I know, I know! line in the second place each time.
History and Origin
This poem is in Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories, a collection edited by Hamilton Wright Mabie and others (University Society, 1927 edition). The book marks the author as unknown.
Learning Activities
- Winter questions: ask the child where else things go in winter, such as snails, squirrels or leaves, and make up a verse.
- Bulb planting: plant a bulb or a seed in a pot in autumn and watch for the first shoot in spring.
- Bird map: point to a warmer place on a map where some birds spend the winter.
- Snuggle time: end by wrapping up together under a blanket, as the babies do.