"Here We Go Sodeo" is sung to the tune of "Shortnin' Bread".

We believe "Sodeo" is either a name or a nonsense word (maybe related to dancing). Variations on the song are, "Here we go Zudio", "Here we go Zudeo" and "Here we go Zoodio".

Notes

"This is a song we sing at our Prep Class in New Farm, Brisbane, Australia. I think it is American. It's a funny tune, the children like to sing it, there are some actions as well." -Madonna Brady

Many people know this song from the popular singer Raffi. Raffi calls this song traditional - but his version was adapted by Betty Kovacs. His mentions Calgary instead of Tennessee: "I went to the Plaza and what did I wee? A big fat man from Calgary." He also sings, "To the front to the back to the see-saw side" Feel free to email me with the version of this song that you know. Thanks! Mama Lisa

Game Instructions

You need a group of people to play this game song. Make two rows of people standing across from each other, making an "alley". On the 1st three lines, each person holds hands with the person across from them, swinging their hands side to side. On the 4th line, the two people at the end (one person from each row) walk through the "alley" (with "attitude") to the beat of the song while everyone sings and claps. They rejoin their rows at the other end of the alley. The game continues like this and the dance down the "alley" progressively gets sillier and sillier. In some versions, everyone in the line follows the directions like, "Step back", etc.

Comments

According to Florida Memory, "Zoodio is an African-American game with singing. The game, according to research, was often taught at Bible Schools."

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Madonna Brady for contributing this song.

Thanks so much!