Johnny on the Woodpile
Johnny on the Woodpile
Echo Song
Johnny on the woodpile,
Johnny on the fence
Johnny got a haircut
For fifteen cents.
Notes
According to "Journal of American Folklore" (Volumes 30-31) from 1917, this "rhyme was said to a boy who came to school with a new haircut."
Note about possible racist history of this song:
Jude O. wrote: "I'm an elementary and middle school music teacher in NYC. I love using your site to find new songs for my students! I noticed you have the song 'Johnny on the Woodpile' on your site. I used to use that song too, and loved it for Kindergarten and First Grade as an echo song. However, I found out that it has a horrible past, and the song should not really be used with young children... Here's some background information, which does contain troubling racist language."
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Thanks to Barbara Huet for pointing out this rhyme!