Itsy Bitsy Spider
"The Itsy Bitsy Spider" is a popular nursery rhyme, folksong, and fingerplay that describes the adventures of a spider as it ascends, descends, and re-ascends the downspout or "waterspout" of a gutter system or open-air reservoir. It is usually accompanied by a sequence of gestures that mimic the words of the song. Its Roud Folk Song Index number is 11586.
Lyrics
A commonly used version uses these words and gestures:Other versions exist.
Origin
While the exact origin for the song "Itsy Bitsy Spider" is unknown, a version reported in 1912 to have been heard at a college commencement resembles the common modern version:Went up a blooming spout,
And down came the rain
And washed the spider out;
Out came the sun
And dried up all the rain,
But that bloody, blooming son of a gun
Went up that spout again.
The song can also be found in publications such as Arthur Walbridge North's book Camp and Camino in Lower California, where it is referred to as "Spider Song". One of the song's several modern versions eventually appeared in Western Folklore, by the California Folklore Society, Mike and Peggy Seeger's, American Folk Songs for Children.
The song is sung by and for children in countless languages and cultures. It is similar to the melodies of the children's songs "Sweetly Sings the Donkey" in the United States, and "", "Ich bin ein kleiner Esel" and "" in German-speaking countries.
Score
\header
\layout
global =
right = \relative g'
left = \relative g
verse = \lyricmode
kords = \chordmode
\score
Source