Adapting Familiar Songs

Are you tired of the same old songs? Or do you want to work on a particular objective and can't find the right song to do it?

Over the years, I have had a LOT of fun adding new words and verses to traditional or well known songs. One of my favorite children's fingerplay/rhyme songs is 5 Little Monkeys. Many of the kids I work with like this song, but frequently lose interest after the 2nd or 3rd monkey! Plus, I really wanted a song that I could do some sequencing activities with. So - I changed it around - added a familiar melody and verses to make it "3 Little Monkeys". Now there are hand motions to go with each of the verses and the old standard is new again!

Here are the words to my version of the "3 Little Monkeys". The music is available to download below the words!

3 Little Monkeys

(Adapted from 5 Little Monkeys - Additional words by Pamela Ott)

3 little monkeys jumpin' on the bed

One fell off and bumped his head!

Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,

"No more monkeys jumpin' on the bed!"

Two little monkeys sittin' in a tree,

One fell out and skinned his knee.

Momma called the doctor, quick as can be,

And he said "No more monkeys sittin' in a tree!"

One little monkey swimmin' in the river

Got so cold he began to shiver!

Mama called the doctor who's chin began to quiver

He said "No more monkeys swimmin' in the river"!

Three sick monkeys, all of them little

Lying there in the hospital.

Lulah and Johnnie and sister Fred say,

Never again will we swim in the river,

Or sit in a tree, or jump on the bed,

We don't want to bump our head,

So no more jumpin' on the bed!

Listen and download "3 Little Monkeys" here!