origin of song /rhyme

[glynny007]

does anyone know the origin of the song/rhyme"three six nine the goose drank wine the monkey chewed tobacco on the street car line" etc etc. and the meaning of the song?

[SteveD]

It's called The Clapping Song by Aaron Carter.  The full lyrics are here:

 

http://www.lyricsstyle.com/a/aaroncarter/theclappingsong.html

 

I haven't been able to find anything referringto the meaning of the song.

[emjata]

It was a song in the 80's by (i think) someone called Shirley .... Although I was in a funk/soul club and heard a fantastic version which was recorded early 60's late 50's I was talking to someone about it at the time and apparantly it is an old childrens 'patter cake' song originating from America's deep south ... it has obvious racist conatations (not Aarons carters version) and so is a very rare record to find now.

[emjata]

PS - Called The Clap Clap song

[Marsh]

Shirley Ellis's "The Clapping Song", written by Lincoln Chase, got to No 6 in the UK chart in May 1965.  I've just played it and to my ears, the chorus starts, "Clap Clap" not "Pat Tap" as on the website quoted.  The verses sound like childrens' skipping games to me but

[Marsh]

.. I can't find any reference to them.

[Ouisch]

Although  the "goose drank wine" and "my mommy told me" bits are used in "The Clapping Song", both of those are old jump rope rhymes that children have used through the ages.

 

http://library.usu.edu/Folklo/folkarchive/speech.htm