katlaughing, with regard to the "Five Little Monkeys" song [and book series], I was referring to the potential problems that rightly or wrongly, some parents/guardians might have with that song.
I would never introduce that song for that age group with an explanation that I was changing the words, let along why I was changing the words. I was thinking of the case of the White school teacher who lost her job because she read that children's book about kinky hair to a classroom of Black children and at least one parent found out about it and complained. I understand that people may disagree, but in my opinion, sometimes adults need to consider their race and the race of their audience in the selection of appropriate singing, reading, and video material for children. I think this is a matter of an ounce of prevention being better than a pound of trouble {or however that folk saying goes}.

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Susan, I didn't mention songs such as the African American spirituals "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" and "This Little Light Of Mine" because I've found that schools [in my area anyway] have restrictions about teaching religious songs. That said, I agree that these songs are great for older pre-school/early elementary school age children {and others}.