Nursery rhyme lyrics
Row, Row, Row Your Boat Lyrics
The words to Row, Row, Row Your Boat, with simple actions to do together and a little history for curious grown-ups.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat full lyrics
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
Traditional, public domain. Many families sing slightly different versions.
Actions to do together
- Sit facing your child, hold hands and rock back and forth.
- Add a verse: "Row, row, row your boat, gently down the creek. If you see a little mouse, don't forget to squeak!"
- Try singing it as a round with older children.
What your child learns
- Rhythm and steady beat
- Gross motor movement and balance
- Singing in a round (for older children)
Where does Row, Row, Row Your Boat come from?
Row, Row, Row Your Boat is an American song from the mid-1800s. It works beautifully as a round, where different people start singing at different times.
Questions parents ask
How do you sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat as a round?
One person starts, and the next begins from the start when the first reaches "gently". It works with two, three or four groups.
What are the extra verses?
Families make up many, such as the crocodile, mouse and lion verses. Any rhyme that makes your child giggle works.
