Lyrics
(Folk song)
When Billy was one,
He liked to such his thumb.
Thumb-deanna, Thumb-deanna,
Half past one.
2. When Billy was two, he liked to tie his shoes.
Shoes-de-anna, shoes-de-anna, Half past two.
3. …three…climb a tree…
4. …four…shut the door…
5. …five…take no jive…
6. …six…play with sticks…
7. …seven…go to heaven…
8. …eight…roller skate…
9. …nine…climb a vine…
10. …ten…catch a hen…
11. …eleven…go to seven…
12. …twelve…ring the bell…
Recorder Notes G, A, B, C’
Hand-Clapping
Formation: Partners face each other
Clap, right hands clap together, clap, left hands clap together on the quarter note beat. Repeat pattern until the end. On “cross down,” cross hands over chest, pat knees, then repeat the song.
See also
YouTube
(or available for purchase here)
- Song with chords in 2 keys, explanation of motions (PDF)
- MIDI file
- Listen to the song
3 thoughts on “When Billy Was One”
Funny song I study this in school.
I grew up with it being sung Thumb-doodle and not Deanna. Possibly regional?
Possibly! Some folk songs have tons of variations!