the clapping song

[salguod1953]

what are these lyrics all about?

Three-six-nine, the goose drank wine
The monkey chew tobacco on the street car line
The line broke, the monkey got choked
And they all went to heaven in a little row boat

[Marsh]

In 1965 it was credited to Lincoln Chase, writer of Jim Dandy and The Nitty Gritty. The verse sounds suspiciously like a children's skipping chant to me.  I don't think it's a UK one, though. And I've no idea what it all means, I'm afraid.

[Clare A]

Can't be of much help, but I think it's simply a children's nonsense rhyme - ie, has no particular meaning, but the lines (sort of!) scan and rhyme. Almost certainly of US origin, because of the 'streetcar' (tram).

[prettypretty]

This song is played in the new Matalan advert!! Love it but have no clue what it's talking about!!

[m3ld]

three six nine (to teach kids their 3 times tables)...the goose drank wine (cos he could...but it's put across as a bad thing)
the monkey chewed tobacco on the street car line (tramline)
the line broke (a tram was coming) the monkey got choked (on his tobacco)
and they all went to heaven in a little row boat (cos the goose died of alcoholism and the monkey choked)