Bee-Ba-Babity

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

See also

  • PDF of song with chords
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the melody

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