Lyrics
(African American game song)
That’s a mighty pretty motion, Dee di dee,
That’s a mighty pretty motion, Dee di dee,
That’s a mighty pretty motion, Dee di dee,
Rise sugar rise.
That’s a mighty poor motion, Dee di dee,
That’s a mighty poor motion, Dee di dee,
That’s a mighty poor motion, Dee di dee,
Rise sugar rise.
Recorder notes G,A,B,D’
Game
Formation: Students stand in a circle with one student (“It”) standing in the middle.
• As students sing, “It” makes motions / dance steps (to the steady beat) while other students either clap the steady beat or copy It’s motions. On the last phrase, “Rise sugar rise,” It chooses another student to become the new It.
• For verse 2, the new It can do silly motions while students sing, “That’s a mighty poor motion.”
• Or, you can continue to sing the first verse again.
See also
- Country / Culture: US / African American
- Activities: imitation game / movement improvisation
- Harmony: I, V / Orff
- Melody: G,A,B,D’
- Meter: 4
- Rhythm: anacrusis /
- Scale: tetratonic
- Tones: drms
- Similar song: Rise Sugar Rise
YouTube
or purchase here (printables only)
- Printable & Digital Visuals
- PDF of song with chords + Lesson ideas + Orff arrangement
- MIDI file
- Listen to the song
