And When I Want to Start My Farm

The children hold hands in a circle and walk round singing. In the first verse, one child sits in the middle of the circle (the ‘horsey’). At the end of each verse another child is chosen to sit in the middle of the circle. When the names of the animals are called out, the circle stands still while the player concerned stands up. When the song is repeated the new animal is called out first and then in reverse order the names of all the other animals. If a child forgets to stand up when his animal is called out he must surrender his place to another child in the circle. When the children stand up they imitate a certain movement of the animal they are playing.

2. Then I will go and buy a cockerel,
Cock-a-doo, that is his name

3. Then I will go and buy a pussy,
Scratchy claws, that is her name

4. Then I will go and buy a doggy,
Robby dog, that is his name

5. Then I will go and buy a moo cow,
Bale of straw, that is her name

6. Then I will go and buy a pig,
Fat and sleek, that is her name.

7. Then I will go and buy a lamb,
Soft and sweet, that is her name.

8. Then I will go and buy a haycart,
Loaded up, that is its name.

9. Then I will go and find a farmhand,
Loyalty, that is his name.

10. Then I will go and find a maid,
Honest work, that is her name.

11. Then I will go and find a wife,
Faithfulness, that is her name.

12. Then we will have a little child,
Beloved, that is his name.