"Draw a Bucket of Water" has many variations of the song and game.

You can find the directions to play this version in the Game Instructions.

Game Instructions

This game is played with 4 kids. They stand in a square. Two kids (Pair 1) stand across from each other holding hands (they keep holding hands for the whole game). The other two kids (Pair 2) stand across from each other holding hands over the other pair's hands (they keep holding hands for the whole game also). They all sway back and forth while singing the song.

On the last line, one of the kids (from Pair 1) goes under and inside the hands of the opposite pair (Pair 2). Then they all sing the song again, while swaying back and forth. On the last line, the other kid (from Pair 1) goes under and inside the hands of Pair 2.

They all sway back and forth while singing the song again. On the last line, a kid from Pair 2 goes under the hands of Pair 1 (they actually put their linked hands over that kid's back).

Then they all sway back and forth again while singing the song. On the last line, the other kid from Pair 2 goes under the hands of Pair 1 (they put their linked hands over that kid's back).

One the last verse, all four kids stay entwined and go around in a circle while singing. On the last line they all jump back.

Thanks and Acknowledgements

A similar variation of this song can be found in the book "Jim Along, Josie", A Collection of Folk Songs and Singing Games for Young Children, compiled by Nancy and John Langstaff (1970).

Illustration is from "The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland: With Tunes" (1894) edited by Alice Bertha Gomme. The illustration was edited by Lisa Yannucci.

Thank you!