Info

The original play party game was popular on the American frontier in the first half of the 19th century. (source)

Lyrics

(American folk song)

1. Old sister Phoebe, how merry were we,
The night we sat under the juniper tree,
The juniper tree, Hi-o, hi-o,
The juniper tree, Hi-o.

2. Put this hat on your head to keep your head warm
And one or two kisses will do you no harm,
Will do you no harm, I know, I know,
Will do you no hearm, I know.

3. Go choose you a partner, go choose you a one,
Go choose you the fairest that ever you can,
Now rise you up, sister, and go and go,
Now rise you up, sister and go.

Substitute “Sister Phoebe” with the names of students, such as “Sister Jenny” or “Brother Bobby” such as…
“Oh Sister Jenny, how happy was she
The night she sat under the juniper tree…

Circle Game

Put a student in the middle of the circle playing an instrument on the beat while the rest of the students walk around holding hands in a circle. On the last word, whoever the middle student is facing takes a turn in the middle.

See also

YouTube

  • Song with chords in 2 keys (PDF)
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the song

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