She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain Song Lyrics

If you went to summer camp, attended a lively music class, or just had parents who loved to sing on road trips, chances are you remember belting out "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain." This classic folk tune, with its driving rhythm and unforgettable verses about horses, meetings, and yes, red pyjamas, is a guaranteed way to get everyone singing along.

Whether you're reliving your own childhood memories or looking for energetic songs to share with your own little ones, "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain" is a fantastic choice. It's not only incredibly fun and interactive, but its repetitive structure and opportunities for adding actions make it wonderfully engaging for all ages.

She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes, She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes, She'll be coming 'round the mountain, She'll be coming 'round the mountain, She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes.

She'll be driving six white horses when she comes, She'll be driving six white horses when she comes, She'll be driving six white horses, She'll be driving six white horses, She'll be driving six white horses when she comes.

Oh, we'll all go out to meet her when she comes, Oh, we'll all go out to meet her when she comes, Oh, we'll all go out to meet her, We'll all go out to meet her, We'll all go out to meet her when she comes.

We'll be singing when she comes, We'll be singing when she comes, We'll be singing Hallelujah, We'll be singing Hallelujah, We'll be singing Hallelujah when she comes.

She'll be wearing red pyjamas when she comes, She'll be wearing red pyjamas when she comes, She'll be wearing red pyjamas, She'll be wearing red pyjamas, She'll be wearing red pyjamas when she comes.

The Origins and Evolution of "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain"

"She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain" originated in the late 1800s as a spiritual song called "When the Chariot Comes." The song is also sometimes called "Coming 'Round the Mountain," "She'll Be Riding Six White Horses," or simply "Round the Mountain." Its roots lie in African American spiritual music, with the "she" in the original version likely referring to the chariot of the Lord coming for Judgment Day.

As the song travelled through Appalachia and beyond, it transformed into a secular folk song about a more earthly visitor. By the early 20th century, it had become a popular children's song with accompanying hand motions and sound effects. The song was first published in Carl Sandburg's 1927 folk song collection "The American Songbag."

The song's simple, repetitive structure has allowed for countless regional variations and additional verses. Different communities have added their own touches, with some versions featuring the visitor "killing the old red rooster" or "sleeping in our bed." The verses included here represent some of the most widely known and child-friendly variations.

Interactive Fun and Educational Value

What makes "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain" particularly engaging for children is its interactive nature. Traditional performance involves hand gestures for each verse: using reins for driving horses, pretending to wave for "going out to meet her," and mimicking sleeping for the pyjamas verse. These actions make the song physically engaging and help children connect language with movement.

The song teaches sequencing, anticipation, and call-and-response patterns. Its cumulative structure (where new elements are added while previous ones are repeated) helps build memory skills and narrative understanding. For younger children, the song reinforces basic concepts like colours and counting, while older children enjoy the humour of some verses and the opportunities for creative additions.

The tune has been adapted for numerous educational purposes, with teachers creating custom verses to reinforce specific lessons or classroom transitions. Its versatility and infectious energy explain why it remains a staple at campfires, in music classrooms, and during family car trips across America and beyond.

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.