"Klap eens in je handjes" dates back to around 1850. It's still loved today!

Klap eens in je handjes - Dutch Children's Songs - The Netherlands - Mama Lisa's World: Children's Songs and Rhymes from Around the World  - Intro Image

Notes

A slightly different version:

Klap eens in je handjes,
blij, blij, blij.
Op je lieve bolletje,
allebei.

Handjes in de hoogte,
Handjes in je zij.

Zo varen de scheepjes voorbij.
Zo varen de scheepjes voorbij.

Translation:

Clap your handsies,
Happy, happy, happy
Up on your devilish noggin,
Both handsies.

Handsies up high,
Handsies down on your hips.

That's how the boatsies pass by,
That's how the boatsies pass by.

*****

Anshar wrote, "I sing this quite often to my daughter."

Comments

Another translation by Anshar Washier:

Clap your little hands,
Happy, happy, happy
On your angry head,
Both of them.

Little hands in the air,
Little hands on your hips.

That's the way the little ships sail away.
That's the way the little ships sail away.

Listen

"I'm sending you two files of 'Klap eens in je handjes', because there are two versions on your site: so the 1st mp3 for 'Klap Eens In Je Handjes' is where it's written as 'op je BOZE bolletje' (meaning angry/upset) and the 2nd mp3 for 'Klap Eens In Je Handjes' is with 'op je LIEVE bolletje' (meaning sweet/nice)."

Download

Many thanks to F. S. for singing both versions of this song for us!

Sheet Music

Sheet Music - Klap eens in je handjes

Thanks and Acknowledgements

First translation by Lisa and Monique. Many thanks to Anshar Washier for contributing this nursery rhyme and for the 2nd translation. Thanks to Marisa Roche for the illustration!

Dank u wel!