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
- Subjects: counting
- Activities: motions
- Harmony: chords I IV V
- Melody: G,A,B,C
- Meter: 4
- Rhythm:
/ 
- Scale: tetratonic
- Tones: dslt
- Similar song: Barnacle Bill
YouTube
or purchase here (printables only)
- Printable & Digital rhythm visuals
- PDF of song with chords + Lesson ideas + Orff arrangement
- 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!