Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush Lyrics

"Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" is a favourite for a good reason: it makes learning daily routines fun and active. But did you know this simple circle game might have a surprising origin connected to an old English prison? Discover the history and practical lessons packed into this simple song.

Here we go round the mulberry bush, The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush. Here we go round the mulberry bush, So early in the morning.

This is the way we wash our face, Wash our face, wash our face. This is the way we wash our face, So early in the morning.

This is the way we comb our hair, Comb our hair, comb our hair. This is the way we comb our hair, So early in the morning.

This is the way we brush our teeth, Brush our teeth, brush our teeth. This is the way we brush our teeth, So early in the morning.

This is the way we put on our clothes, Put on our clothes, put on our clothes. This is the way we put on our clothes, So early in the morning.

Here we go round the mulberry bush, The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush. Here we go round the mulberry bush, So early in the morning.

The history

Also known as "Mulberry Bush," "The Mulberry Bush," or "Round the Mulberry Bush," this song has been a staple in early childhood education since the mid-1800s.

One intriguing theory about the song's origins connects it to female prisoners at HMP Wakefield in England. These women were reportedly required to exercise around a mulberry tree in the prison yard, and they may have developed this song to make the routine more bearable and to teach their children basic hygiene tasks. While this theory is hard to prove, mulberry trees were common in prison yards during the Victorian era.

What it teaches kids

"Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" offers several educational benefits that explain its enduring popularity:

• It teaches basic self-care and hygiene routines
• It encourages movement and physical activity
• It reinforces sequencing and daily routine awareness
• It builds vocabulary through action words and body parts

The song is typically performed as a circle game, with children holding hands and moving in a circle during the chorus. For each verse, they stop and perform the relevant actions (washing face, combing hair, etc.).

Teachers and parents often adapt the verses to address specific practical skills. Common adaptations include:

• This is the way we read our books (promoting literacy)
• This is the way we clean our room (encouraging tidiness)
• This is the way we share our toys (teaching social skills)
• This is the way we plant our seeds (for nature or gardening units)

The song's versatility has allowed it to remain relevant. Its simple melody, repetitive structure and practical content make it accessible to very young children while still engaging enough for preschool and kindergarten students.

This article was crafted with the assistance of an AI language model. The final content was reviewed and edited by a human and reflects the editorial judgment and expertise of  Today's Parent.