The Ants Go Marching

"The Ants Go Marching" is a popular children's song that is often sung as a repetitive and cumulative song. The song's lyrics describe a column of ants marching and engaging in various activities. The tune is usually based on the traditional folk song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again."
The basic structure of the song involves counting up from one to ten, with each verse introducing a new set of activities that the ants are engaged in as they march along. The cumulative nature of the song means that each verse includes the activities mentioned in the previous verses, creating a repetitive and rhythmic pattern.
Here is a typical progression of the verses:
1. The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah!
   The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah!
   The ants go marching one by one,
   The little one stops to suck his thumb,
   And they all go marching down to the ground
   To get out of the rain, boom, boom, boom.
2. The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah!
   The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah!
   The ants go marching two by two,
   The little one stops to tie his shoe,
   And they all go marching down to the ground
   To get out of the rain, boom, boom, boom.
And so on, with subsequent verses introducing three by three, four by four, and so forth.
The song is often accompanied by playful hand movements or clapping, making it a popular choice for children in group settings. It's a fun and educational way to teach counting and rhythm while engaging children in a repetitive and participatory activity. The song has been adapted and recorded by various artists over the years, contributing to its enduring popularity in children's music.
Category:Songs
Category:Barney Songs