Itsy Bitsy Spider
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the song by Joyspeed (later known as Aqua), see Itsy Bitsy Spider (song).
| "Itsy Bitsy Spider" Roud #11586 |
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| Written by | Traditional |
|---|---|
| Published | 1910 |
| Written | USA |
| Language | English |
| Form | Nursery Rhyme |
"Itsy Bitsy Spider" (also known as "Eensy Weensy Spider"[1]) is a popular nursery rhyme that describes the adventures of a spider as it ascends, descends and reascends the downspout or "waterspout" of a gutter system (or, alternatively, the spout of a teapot). It is usually accompanied by a sequence of gestures that mimic the words of the song. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 11586.
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[edit] Lyrics
There are various versions of the lyrics:
- The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.
- Down came the rain, and washed the spider out.
- Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain
- And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.
(Some versions have climbed or crawled instead of went.)
The Itsy Bitsy Spider or The Eensy Weensy Spider is sometimes chanted rather than sung. Recitation of the rhyme is often combined with fingerplays representing the words. For the first (and last) line, alternately touch the thumb of one hand to the index finger of the other. For "Down came the rain" hold both hands up and wiggle the fingers as you lower the hands. For "washed the spider out" sweep the hands to the side. For the third line bring both hands up and then to the sides to sweep out a semicircle (the sun). Then wiggle the fingers upwards (to show the rain drying in the sun), and repeat the thumb/index finger movement to indicate the spider climbing up the spout.
[edit] Origins
The most commonly referenced first published version was in 1962.[1]. However, numerous earlier references can be found — for example, in Western Folklore, by the California Folklore Society (1947) and The Growing Family: A Guide for Parents by Maxwell Slutz Stewart (1955). An alternate version can be found much earlier in the book, Camp and Camino in Lower California (1910).
[edit] Movie
[edit] References
- ^ Or "Incey Wincey" or "Teensy Weensy" or "Inky Pinky" or Inky Winky.
