Bee-Ba-Babity

folk song

Info

Other titles – Bab at the Bowster, Babity Bowster, Bee Baw Babbity, Roud 8722

Lyrics

(Scottish folk song)

Bee-ba-babity,
Babity, babity,
Bee-ba-babity,
Bab at the Bowster brawly.

Kneel down kiss (touch) the ground,
Kiss (Touch) the ground, kiss (touch) the ground,
Kneel down kiss (touch) the ground*,
Kiss (Swing) a bonny wee* lassie (laddie).

I wouldna ha’e a lassie, oh. (laddie)
A lassie (laddie), oh, a lassie (laddie), oh,
I wouldna ha’e a lassie (laddie), oh,
I’d rather ha’e a wee lassie (laddie).

Dance (Traditional)

Formation: Students stand in a circle with hands joined. One student (“It”) stands in the middle.

Measures 1-8 – Students walk around in a circle.

Measures 9-24 – Students stand still. “It” leans down and spreads a handkerchief on the floor in front of one student. Both students kneel on the handkerchief and kiss (or swing).*

Game continues with new student becoming “It.”

*My adapted version below