Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby

Subject: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 10:25 AM

"When Susie Was A Baby" is the name of a children's rhyme that recounts the life stages of a girl from babyhood through adulthood and then death {and maybe beyond}.

I don't recall this rhyme from my childhood, and also don't recall my children saying this rhyme. But thus far, I've had three examples of this rhyme {each one having a different girls name-Lucy, Susie, Pepples} have been sent to my website www.cocojams.com including one example I received this morning.

I'll post those examples on this thread. And I'm wondering if other folks here are familiar with this rhyme and if so, what versions you know.

Along with your example, please post demographical information, particularly the geographical location {city/state and nation, if outside of the USA}, and the year or decade you remember reciting this rhyme. I'd also love to know whether you recall performing "When Susie {or any other girl's name} Was A Baby" as a handclap, jump rope, or ball bouncing rhyme.

And since this is Mudcat, there may be folks here who know examples of rhymes or songs that served as the source for this contemporary rhyme. If so, please post that information also. Of course, any comments about this rhyme and other similar rhymes are welcome!

Thanks in advance for posting on this thread.

Subject: RE: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 10:26 AM

WHEN MISS SUZY WAS A BABY

when miss susy was a baby a baby a baby when miss susy was a baby she use to go like this... (roll fists around eyes) wa wa (pretend to suck your thumb) suck my thumb when miss susy was a kid a kid a kid when miss susy was a kid she use to go like this... (roll fists around eyes) wa wa (pretend to suck your thumb) suck my thumb (open hands like a book) read a book (bend down and pretend to tie shoe) tie my shoe when miss susy was a teen a teen a teen when miss susy was a teen she use to go like this... (roll fists around eyes) wa wa (pretend to suck your thumb) suck my thumb (open hands like a book) read a book (bend down and pretend to tie shoe) tie my shoe (put arms over chest) oo ah i lost my bra i think i left it in my boyfriends car when miss susy was a grown-up a grown-up a grown-up when miss susy was a grown-up she use to go like this... (roll fists around eyes) wa wa (pretend to suck your thumb) suck my thumb (open hands like a book) read a book (bend down and pretend to tie shoe) tie my shoe oo (cross right hand over left side of chest) ah (cross left hand over right side of chest) i lost my bra i think i left it in my boyfriends car (put hands over chest same way) oo ah i lost my bra i think i left it in my husbands car when miss susy was an old lady an old lady an old lady when miss susy was an old lady she use to go like this... (roll fists around eyes) wa wa (pretend to suck your thumb) suck my thumb (open hands like a book) read a book (bend down and pretend to tie shoe) tie my shoe oo (cross right hand over left side of chest) ah (cross left hand over right side of chest) i lost my bra i think i left it in my boyfriends car (put hands over chest same way) oo ah i lost my bra i think i left it in my husbands car (put hand to ear) speak up sonny i can't hear you when miss susy was dead was dead was dead when miss susy was dead she use to go like this... (drop to floor and act dead)
-Samantha; 3/15/2008 {learned in the 1990s}; www.cocojams.com

Subject: RE: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 10:32 AM

WHEN LUCY WAS A BABY

you can do this with a jump rope, or a hand clap, i did it with hand claps. just an old Florida rhyme: LUCY When Lucy was a baby, a baby When Lucy was a baby She went a little like this: Wah Wah When Lucy was a toddler, a toddler, a toddler, When Lucy was a toddler She went a little like this: Wah Wah, suck my thumb When Lucy was a kid, a kid, a kid When Lucy was a kidShe went a little like this: Wah Wah, suck my thumb, give me a piece of bubble gum When Lucy was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager When Lucy was a teenager She went a little like this: Wah Wah, suck my thumb, give me a piece of bubble gum, ohh, ahh, lost my bra, left it in my boyfriend's car When Lucy was a grown up, a grown up, a grown up When Lucy was a grown up She went a little like this: Wah Wah, suck my thumb, give me a piece of bubble gum, ohh, ahh, lost my bra left it in my boyfriend's car, shh shh babies sleeping When Lucy was an grandma, a grandma, a grandma When Lucy was a grandma She went a little like this: Wah Wah, suck my thumb, give me a peice of bubble gum, ohh, ahh lost my bra, left it in my boyfriend's car, shh babies sleeping, god i'm old. When Lucy was dead, dead, dead, When Lucy was dead She went a little like this: Wah Wah, suck my thumb, give me a piece of bubble gum, ohh, ahh, lost my bra left it in my boyfriend's car, shh babies sleeping, god i'm old, great i'm dead
-Morgan; 5/16/2007; www.cocojams.com

Subject: RE: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 10:32 AM

WHEN PEBBLES WAS A BABY

I am 25 now and was recently playing a hand game with my 6 year old cousin at a family gathering and was thinking about some of the games I used to play as a little girl. I am a Black female from Easter North Carolina. One I remember yet have no idea where it came from was called Pebbles and it basically followed the life of this girl. Each section of life had some type of hand gesture you had to do with it. and you had to remember the whole thing as it added on new lines. It basically went like this When pebbles was a baby, a baby a baby When pebbles was a baby she went like this cry cry. (then the group would act like they were wiping their tears) When pebbles was a toddler, a toddler a toddler when pebbles was a toddler she went like this cry cry, tie my shoe. (then we would wipe our tears, and reach down and touch our shoes) When pebbles was a 5 year old, a 5 year old, a 5 year old when pebbles was a 5 year old she went like this cry cry, tie my shoe, i want this i want that (you would do the previous motions plus point at left then right) When pebbles was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager when pebbles was a teenager she went like this cry cry, tie my shoe, i want this i want that, Ohh Ah I lost my bra I must have left it in my boyfriends car. ( on this part you would do the previous motions then also cross your hands over your chest and sort of shake your hips) This is a long song there is way more too it but it takes her through motherhood and then being a grandma and finally the end of her life. I think its basically to see who can and can't remember all the things that happened before. Its been a really long time since I did this one.
-Erica ; 1/3/2008; www.cocojams.com

Subject: RE: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 10:40 AM

I'm going to take the liberty to repost a similar stages of life rhyme "When Billy Boy Was One" from this Mudcat thread:

thread.cfm?threadid=4300#1434593 "Children's Street Songs"

Subject: RE: Children's Street Songs
From: Skeezyks - PM
Date: 31 Jan 05 - 12:29 PM

I'm an elementary teacher from Minnesota. I'd like to add a hand clapping, patting game I learned from some first grade girls back in the 1970's. They claaed it "Billy Boy." As they chanted the lyrics they clapped their own hands, then the opposite hand of their partner, then their own opposite shoulders, and finally their knees.

"When Billy Boy was one (sung as two syllables) he learned to suck his thu-umb, (two syllables again.)
Thumb-dee-ah-dah, thumb-dee-ah-dah,
Half past one, cross down,

When Billy boy was two-o, he learned to tie his shoe-oo,
Two-dee-ah-dah, two-dee-ah dah,
Half past two cross down." etc.

three: climb a tree,
four: shut the door,
five: jump and dive,
six: pick up sticks,
seven: got to heaven,
eight: clean his plate,
nine: sing this rhyme,
ten: he learned to say, 'THE END!'"

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: The Doctor
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 03:52 PM

There is also a children's clapping game: Suzie had a baby, which may or may not be related.

Suzie had a baby, she called him Tiny Tim.
She put him in the bath-tub to see if he could swim.
He drank up all the water, he ate up all the soap.
He tried to eat the bath-tub but it wouldn't go down his throat.
Suzie called the doctor, Suzie called the nurse,
Suzie called the lady with the alligator purse.
In came the doctor, in came the nurse,
In came the lady with the alligator purse.
'Mumps' said the doctor, 'Measles' said the nurse,
'Chicken-pox' said the lady with the alligator purse.
Out went the doctor, out went the nurse,
Out went the lady with the alligator purse.

I think that's it.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 09:28 PM

Hello, The Doctor.

Thanks for posting an example of "Suzie Had A Baby".

I like to think of variants of the same children's rhyme and similar children's rhymes as being part of a "family". In that respect, I'd consider "{Miss} Suzie Had A Baby" as being a very distant relative of "When Susie Was A Baby"-meaning they're not really part of the same family. However, the "When Susie Was A Baby" and "When Billy Was One" rhymes are siblings or at least very close cousins.

The main reason why I would consider "When Susie Was A Baby" and "When Billy Was One" as being part of the same family is that both of them are what I call "life stages" or "actions at consecutive ages" rhymes, meaning the rhymes provide verbal snapshots of the featured character at consecutive stages of her or his life, or the rhymes describe actions the character does at consecutive ages. When. The rhymes recount that when the featured character is at a certain stage of her or his life-with the life stages given in consecutive order from the youngest life stage to the oldest-then she or he does something that is considered descriptive of that life stage. Or the rhymes recount that when the central character is a certain age-with the ages given in consecutive order from the youngest age to a certain agreed upon age-then the character does some action that rhymes with that numerical age.

Here's another example of this life stages/actions at consecutive ages family of rhymes:

WHEN BILLY BOY WAS ONE
Two people sit facing each other. I'll do my best to describe the handclap motions... Cross down - start by crossing both hands over your chest, with your finger tips touching your shoulders, then uncross them and smack your thigh's. Your left hand will smack your left thigh and right hand, right thigh. The next step is to clap. When you clap, you begin singing the song. (For example: (cross down) (Clap), When Billy Boy was one..... (now begin claping with your partner - your right hand claps with their right hand - then you clap your hands together, next your left hand claps with your partner's left hand, then you clap your hands together. Repeat until the verse is over. When you start the next verse, begin again with cross down, slap your thighs, When Billy Boy was two...etc.

VERSES When Billy Boy was one, he learned to suck his thumb. Thumb Billy, Thumb Billy, half past one. When Billy Boy was two, he learned to tie his shoe. Shoe Billy, Shoe Billy, half past two. When Billy Boy was three, he learned to climb a tree. Tree Billy, Tree Billy, half past three. When Billy Boy was four, he learned to close the door. Door Billy, Door Billy, half past four. When Billy Boy was five, he learned to swim and dive. Dive Billy, Dive Billy, half past five. When Billy Boy was six, he learned to pick up sticks. Sticks Billy, Sticks Billy, half past six. When Billy Boy was seven, he learned to pray to heaven. Heaven Billy, Heaven Billy, half past seven. When Billy Boy was eight, he learned to roller skate. Skate Billy, Skate Billy, half past eight. When Billy Boy was nine, he learned to tell the time. Time Billy, Time Billy, half past nine. When Billy Boy was ten, he learned to catch the hens. Hens Billy, Hens Billy, half past ten. Cross down, then end!
-Jackie; 8/28/2007; www.cocojams.com

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 09:30 PM

Some variants of this family of children's rhymes don't adhere to the "When/then" format. However, from what I've seen thus far, these variants usually have another uniform beginning for all the lines in the rhyme. See this rhyme for example:

POOR PINOCCHIO
1. Poor Pinocchio he learned to suck his thumb, thumb
after thumb after thumb, after thumb after thumb.
Cross over *
2. Poor Pinocchio he learned to tie his shoe, shoe after
shoe, after shoe, after shoe . Cross over *
3. Poor Pinocchio he learned to climb a tree, tree after tree,
after tree, after tree. Cross over *
4. Poor Pinocchio he learned to shut the door, door after
door, after door, after door. Cross over *
5. Poor Pinocchio he liked to kick bee hives, hives after
hives, after hives, after hives. Cross over *
6. Poor Pinocchio he learned to pick up sticks, sticks after
sticks, after sticks ,after sticks. Cross over *
7. Poor Pinocchio he learned all about heaven, heaven after
heaven, after heaven, after heaven. Cross over *
8. Poor Pinocchio he learned to shut the gate, gate after
gate, after gate after gate. Cross over *

[and so on up to 11-use any word that rhymes with those numbers]

* When you say "cross over" you fold your arms crisscross over your chest, and the other girl you are doing the handclap with does the same thing at the same time.
-Natashia, age 13; Alberta, Canada; 10/21/2005; www.cocojams.com

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 09:36 PM

Correction. The name that the "informant" gave for that rhyme was "When Billy Boy Was One". Here's that rhyme:

WHEN BILLY BOY WAS ONE

When Billy Boy Was One {Handclap Rhyme}
Two people sit facing each other. I'll do my best to describe the handclap motions... Cross down - start by crossing both hands over your chest, with your finger tips touching your shoulders, then uncross them and smack your thigh's. Your left hand will smack your left thigh and right hand, right thigh. The next step is to clap. When you clap, you begin singing the song. (For example: (cross down) (Clap), When Billy Boy was one..... (now begin claping with your partner - your right hand claps with their right hand - then you clap your hands together, next your left hand claps with your partner's left hand, then you clap your hands together. Repeat until the verse is over. When you start the next verse, begin again with cross down, slap your thighs, When Billy Boy was two...etc.

VERSES When Billy Boy was one, he learned to suck his thumb. Thumb Billy, Thumb Billy, half past one. When Billy Boy was two, he learned to tie his shoe. Shoe Billy, Shoe Billy, half past two. When Billy Boy was three, he learned to climb a tree. Tree Billy, Tree Billy, half past three. When Billy Boy was four, he learned to close the door. Door Billy, Door Billy, half past four. When Billy Boy was five, he learned to swim and dive. Dive Billy, Dive Billy, half past five. When Billy Boy was six, he learned to pick up sticks. Sticks Billy, Sticks Billy, half past six. When Billy Boy was seven, he learned to pray to heaven. Heaven Billy, Heaven Billy, half past seven. When Billy Boy was eight, he learned to roller skate. Skate Billy, Skate Billy, half past eight. When Billy Boy was nine, he learned to tell the time. Time Billy, Time Billy, half past nine. When Billy Boy was ten, he learned to catch the hens. Hens Billy, Hens Billy, half past ten. Cross down, then end!
-Jackie; 8/28/2007; www.cocojams.com

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 09:42 PM

Note how close the examples are of "When Billy Boy Was One" {posted on Mudcat by Skeezyks on 31 Jan 05] and "When Billy Boy Was One"
[posted on Cocojams by Jackie on 8/28/07]. Unfortunately, no demographical information is available for either informant.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST,lovlykatie
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 08:49 PM

everyone at my school says it

when suzy was a baby a baby a baby when suzy was a baby she went like this waa waaa suck my thum when suzy was a todler a todler a todler when suzy was a todler she went like this waa waa suck my thum give me a peice of bubble gum

when suzy was a teenager a teenager a teenager when suzy was a teenager she went like this waa waa suck my thum give me a peice of bubble gumm oohh hhaa lost my cell ohh my pretty hair

when suzy was a mommy a mommy a mommy when suzy was a mommy she went like this waa waa suck my thum give me a peice of bubble gumm oohh hhaa lost my cell ohh my pretty hair i love you too sweety

when suzy was an old ladie an old ladie an old ladie when suzy was an old ladie she went like this waa waa suck my thum give me a peice of bubble gumm oohh hhaa lost my cell ohh my pretty hair i love you too sweety WHATS THAT!!!!!!

when suzy was a ghost a ghost a ghost when suzy was a ghost she went like this waa waa suck my thum give me a peice of bubble gumm oohh hhaa lost my cell ohh my pretty hair i love you too sweety WHATS THAT!!!!!!.........BOOOO

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 09:38 PM

Thanks, GUEST,lovlykatie, for sharing this rhyme!

Best wishes,

Ms. Azizi

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 05:22 AM

Mary had a baby, she called him Sonny Jim
She put him in the duck pond, to see if he could swim
He swam to the bottom, he swam to the top
Mary got excited, and grabbed him by the .....
Don't you get excited, don't you be misled
Mary was a nice girl, she grabbed him by his head!

Poorly remembered verse from a song that is now called The Village Sunday School.


G

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST
Date: 27 May 08 - 03:13 PM

When pebbles was a baby a baby a baby
when pebbles was a baby she use to go like this: WAA WAa suck my thumb.
when pebbles was a toddler a todler a toddler
when pebbles was a toddler she use to go like this: WAWa suck my thumb give me a peice of bubblegum.
when pebbles was a teenager when pebbless was a teenager a teenager a tennager
when pebbles was a teenager she use to go liek this: waa waa suck my thummb give me a piece of buuble gum..OH AH lost my bra ..left in my boyfriends car.
when pubbles was a grownup a grown up a grown up
when pebbles was a grown up she use to go like this: Waa waa suck my thumb give me a piece of bubblegum oh ah lost my bra left it in my boyfriends car

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 27 May 08 - 04:07 PM

Thanks, Guest 27 May 08 - 03:13 PM for sharing that example.

The examples of consecutive life stages rhymes that have been posted on this thread are similar to each other. In addition to being fun to recite, and perform, they sharpen children's memory skills.

To all the guests who have posted on this thread, Mudcat has a number of other threads [pages] on children's rhymes. Click on this thread thread.cfm?threadid=94034&messages=178 Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky
and you will find that one as well as a listing of others!

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 28 May 08 - 08:11 AM

Thanks, Joe, for posting that list of some of Mudcat's threads on children's rhymes.

Guests, you can click on the title to any one of those threads, and you can also add to that thread by posting an example of a rhyme that you know.

Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: trevek
Date: 28 May 08 - 08:58 AM

I recall Val Doonican telling the story of how his 6 year old daughter calmly recited the lyrics "ooh ahh, lost my bra, left my knickers in my boyfriend's car" over breakfast.

After choking on his cornflakes Val asked where she'd learned it. She said at school. Val asked "What do the nuns think of that?" She replied, "Oh, thy all know it!"

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 11 Jun 08 - 09:23 PM

Here's another repost from a Mudcat thread of an "age progression"
rhyme:

Subject: RE: Folklore: Play Ground Hand Jives
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 10:16 PM

Hi All,

In Brooklyn, in the late 50s and very early 60s:

....

When I Was a Baby
When I was a baby, a baby, a baby
When I was a baby boom boom boom
It was crying this-a-way
Crying that-a-way
Crying this-a-way
Boom boom boom

(This goes through "child," "teenager kissing," then I think "when I got married" and then "had a baby" then "when my husband died" ending with
When I died, dies, died,
When I dies boom boom boom
It was six feet under, six feet under, six feet under boom boom boom.

thread.cfm?threadid=102055

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 11 Jun 08 - 09:50 PM

Here are two versions of "When Susie Was A Baby"* from http://www.streetplay.com/discus/ Girl Games: Clap & rhyme Archive through June 8, 2000

*One version uses the line "When Susie was a baby {and then the next life stage and so on} while the other version uses the line "Miss Suzy was a baby"{and then the next life stage and so on}

WHEN SUSIE WAS A BABY
when susie was a baby, a baby, when susie was a baby, she usedto go like this 'wah, wah' when susie was a child, a child, when susie was a child she used to go like this 'mommy, can I have a cookie?' when susie was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager, when susie was a teenager, she used to go like this 'mom,i'm using the phone!' when susie was a mother, a mother, when susie was a mother, she used to go like this 'your grounded!' when susie was a grandma, a grandma, when susie was a grandma, she used to go like this 'oh my aching back' when susie was dead, was dead, was dead, when susie was dead, she went like this 'hi, god'..........that's what it is now".
-KD on Friday, December 17, 1999


**

MISS SUZY WAS A BABY
Miss Suzy was a baby, a baby, a baby, Miss Suzy was a baby,and this is what she said! "ooh, aah, ooh aah aah!" (pretend to suck your thumbs, once each word)
Miss Suzy was a schoolgirl, a schoolgirl, a schoolgirl! Miss Suzy was a schoolgirl, and this is what she said! "ooh, aah, ooh aah aah!" (flip your hair back over your shoulders once each word)
Miss Suzy was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager, Miss Suzy was a teenager, and this is what she said! "ooh, aah, I lost my bra! I left it in my boyfriend's car!"
Miss Suzy was a teacher, a teacher, a teacher,
Miss Suzy was a teacher, and this is what she said! "ooh, aah, ooh aah aah!" (shake your finger once each word)
Miss Suzy was a mother, a mother, a mother,
Miss Suzy was a mother, and this is what she said! "ooh, aah, ooh aah aah!" (rock a pretend baby in your arms)
Miss Suzy was a grandmother, a grandmother, a grandmother, Miss Suzy was a grandmother, and this is what she said! "ooh, aah, ooh aah aah!" (rock in a pretend rocking chair)
Miss Suzy went to heaven, to heaven, to heaven, Miss Suzy went to heaven, and this is what she said! "ooh, aah, ooh aah aah!" (flap your "wings)
Miss Suzy went to he-ell, to he-ell, to he-ell, Miss Suzy went to
he-ell, and this is what she said! "ooh, aah, ooh aah aah!" (pretend to be poked by a pitchfork at each word)
-Lizzi; May 1, 2000

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST,someone
Date: 23 Jun 08 - 11:29 AM

when suzie was a baby,a baby, a baby, she went like this "wah wah"
when suzie was a toddler, a toddler, a toddler, when suzie was a toddler she went like this "wah wah, suck my thumb"
when suzie was a kid, a kid, a kid, when suzie was a kid she went like this "wah wah, suck my thumb, give me a piece of bubble gum"
i don't know the rest

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 23 Jun 08 - 11:39 AM

Thanks, GUEST,someone for posting the part of this rhyme that you remembered.

**

I'm wondering if someone who knows this rhyme would share how she or he played it {plays it}. Was it {Is it} a two person handclap rhyme or a jumprope rhyme, or both, or something else?

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 23 Jun 08 - 08:44 PM

Here's a link to a Mudcat post that mentions of a version of "When Susie Was A Baby" that has the lines "When Susie was a stripper...she said "ooh aah I lost my bra, left my knickers in my boyfriend's car".

thread.cfm?threadid=4300#43982 Children's Street Songs

**

And here's a link to another post in that same Mudcat thread that relates a version of this rhyme that mentions what happens "When Susie Was A Teacher":

thread.cfm?threadid=4300#44046

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 08:33 AM

I neglected to thank trevek for sharing the story about the 6 year old Catholic school studentgirl reciting the "ooh ah/lost my bra lines". Her assurance that the nuns knew those lines was precious.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 08:54 AM

Here's another repost of When Susie Was A Baby from another Mudcat thread:

Subject: RE: I'm Rubber. You're Glue: Children's Rhymes
From: GUEST,guest guest - PM
Date: 12 Dec 05 - 05:37 PM

Ms. Suzy was a baby all she did was cry cry cry, when Ms. Suzy was a kid all she did was lie lie lie, when Ms. Suzy was a teenager all she said was leave me a lone lone lone, then Ms. suzy was a adult buying her first home home home, then Ms. Suzy was a mother her kids were just the same same same, she said the were not like her but that they were a big pain pain pain, then Ms. Suzy was a grandma and left when she heard the church bell bell bell, but she did not leave for church so she will go to h*** h*** h***, when Ms. Suzy was on her death bed she told her kids keep well well well, and if you get to poor my body you can sell selll sell!

thread.cfm?threadid=81350

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 12:55 PM

Here's another version of When Pebbles Was A Baby


When I went to elementary school in South Jersey, we used to sing a different version of 'Miss Suzie was a baby', except we said 'Pebbles'

When Pebbles was a baby, a baby, a baby, when Pebbles was a baby, she used to go like this: Wah, wah, suck my thumb, gimme a piece of bubblegum.

When Pebbles was a kid, a kid, a kid, when Pebbles was a kid, she used to go like this: Teacher, Teacher, tie my shoe.

When Pebbles was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager, when Pebbles was a teenager, she used to go like this: Ooh, ah, lost my bra, left it in the cafeteri-ah. Over there, on the chair, is where I put my underwear!

When Pebbles was a mom, a mom, a mom, when Pebbles was a mom, she used to go like this: Brush your teeth, comb your hair, and don't forget your underwear!

When Pebbles was a grandma, a grandma, a grandma, when Pebbles was a grandma, she used to go like this: Ooh, ah, my achin back!

And then there was something about Pebble's death that I remember being amusing to a second grader, maybe Pebbles dying, going to heaven, then maybe being sent to hell..? If anyone remembers, I would really love to know.
-bettingonalice; 1/1/2007; http://blog.oftheoctopuses.com/000518.php

**
bettingonalice posted another rhyme and then wrote this:

"Wait I remember now!

When Pebbles was dead, was dead, was dead, when Pebbles was dead, she used to go like this: [say loudly and spin around and flap your arms] WHEEE! I CAN FLY!

**

Btw, I think that the name "Pebbles" may have come from the name of Fred & Wilma Flinstone's daughter in that tv cartoon series.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 08 - 03:31 PM

when miss susie was a baby, a baby, a baby, when miss susie was a baby she went like this: wah wah

when miss susie was a toddler, a toddler, a toddler, when miss susie was a toddler she went like this: wah wah boo boo

when miss susie was a kid, a kid, a kid, when miss susie was a kid she went like this: wah wah boo boo, gimme a cookie and tie my shoe

when miss susie was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager, when miss susie was a teenager she went like this: wah wah boo boo gimme a cookie and tie my shoe. oohh ahhh lost my bra, left it in my boyfriend's car.

when miss susie was a mother, a mother, a mother, when miss susie was a mother, she went like this: wah wah boo boo gimme a cookie and tie my shoe. oohh ahhh lost my bra, left it in my boyfriend's car. brush your teeth, comb your hair, and dont forget your underwear!


then there's something about grandma, death and ghost but i dont remember.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 08:05 PM

and theres a different on when mississippi was a baby a baby she acted like this wa wa suck my thumb

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 09:21 PM

GUEST 10 Sep 08 - 08:05:

You wrote "theres a different on [one?] when mississippi was a baby a baby she acted like this wa wa suck my thumb", I can't recall where I read it, but I remember a rhyme someone had written from her childhood that had the state name "Mississippi" used as a female nickname that was prefaced by the title "Miss"- "Miss-a Sippy" {"Sippy" being the female nickname.

I'm wondering if that is what you meant by your sentence.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 02 Nov 08 - 02:37 PM

Here are two versions of this rhyme from http://www.inthe80s.com/rhymes.shtml


when miss suzie was a baby a baby a baby when miss suzie was a baby she went like this weh weh: when miss suzie was a toddler a toddler a toddler when miss suzie was a toddler she went like this weh weh gimme a sucker: when miss suzie was a child a child a child when miss suzie was a child she went like this weh weh gimme a sucker mommy mommy tie my shoe: when miss suzie was a teenager a teenager a teenager when miss suzie was a teenager she went like this weh weh gimme a sucker, mommy tie my shoe, ooh aah I lost my bra I think I left it in my boyfriend's car: when miss suzie was a parent a parent a parent when miss suzie a parent she went like this weh weh gimme a sucker, mommy mommy tie my shoe, ooh aah i lost my bra I think I left it in my boyfriend's car, shut up kids im on the phone im tryin to get your father home: when miss suzie was grandma a grandma a grandma when miss suzie was a grandma she went like this weh weh gimme a sucker, mommy mommy tie my shoe, ooh aah i lost my bra i think i left it in my boyfriend's car, shut up i'm on the on the phone tryin to get your father home, cane cane where's my cane i need my cane where's my cane: when miss suzie was in heaven in heaven in heaven when miss suzie was in heaven she went like this weh weh gimme a sucker, mommy mommy tie my shoe, ooh aah i lost my bra i think i left it in my boyfriend's, car shut up kids im on the phone tryin to get your father home, cane cane where's my cane i need my cane where's my cane, look at my beautiful halo and shiny dress.

**

When Pebbles was a baby, a baby, a baby, When Pebbles was a baby, She used to go like this: Wah wah!
When Pebbles was a toddler, a toddler, a toddler, when Pebbles was a toddler, She used to go like this: Wah wah, suck my thumb!
When Pebbles was a schoolgirl, a schoolgirl, a schoolgirl, when Pebbles was a schoolgirl, She used to go like this: Wah wah, suck my thumb, gimme a piece of bubble gum!
When Pebbles was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager when Pebbles was a teenager, She used to go like this: Wah wah, suck my thumb, gimme a piece of bubble gum, Ooh Ah lost my bra, left it in my boyfriend's car!
When Pebbles was a mother, a mother, a mother, when Pebbles was a mother, She used to go like this: Wah wah, suck my thumb, gimme a piece of bubble gum, Ooh Ah lost my bra, left it in my boyfriend's car, oh no my water broke!
When Pebbles was a grandma, a grandma, a grandma, When Pebbles was a grandma, She used to go like this: Wah wah, suck my thumb, gimme a piece of bubble gum, Ooh Ah lost my bra, left it in my boyfriend's car, oh no my water broke, What'd you say, I can't hear you!
When Pebbles had a heart attack, a heart attack, a heart attack, when Pebbles had a heart attack, She used to go like this: Wah wah, suck my thumb, gimme a piece of bubble gum, Ooh Ah lost my bra, left it in my boyfriend's car, oh no my water broke, What'd you say, I can't hear you, HELP ME, HELP ME!
When Pebbles was dead, dead, dead, When Pebbles was dead, She used to go like this: I'm dead!

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 02 Nov 08 - 03:06 PM

Here's another example of "When Susie Was A Baby" from http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=15316



When Susie was a baby, a baby Susie was she went a cry, cry, cry, cry
(rubs eyes)

When Susie was a toddler, a toddler Susie was she went a scribble,
scribble, scribble, scribble (scribbling action)

When Susie was a child, a child Susie was she went a 'whyyyyyy?
whyyyyyy? whyyyyy? whyyyy?' (pouting)

When Susie was a teenager, a teenager Susie was she went a 'ooh, ahh,
I lost my bra, I left my knickers in me boyfriend's car' (waving hands
in a camp manner)

When Susie was a married, a married Susie was she went a 'aahh,
unnnnggggghh, aaaahhhhh, unnnnnngggggh' (sex noises and actions)

When Susie was a mother, a mother Susie was she went a bake, bake,
bake, bake (rolling pin action)

When Susie was a grandma, a grandma Susie was she went a knit, knit,
knit, knit (knitting action)

When Susie was a skeleton a skeleton Susie was she went a (silence)
-Subject: Re: school song ; Answered By: grimace-ga on 12 May 2002

**

The person who answered this question about this "school song" described him/her self as a teacher in England; grimace-ga wrote that "When Susie Was A Baby" probably "shared a common ancestor" with "Miss Susie Had A Baby". grimace-ga also indicated that "Miss Susie Had A Baby" was "similar in metre to Taffy Was A Welshman".

The Digitrad has this version of Taffy was a Welshman . There are other versions of that rhyme on this Mudcat thread: thread.cfm?threadid=94344#1830016, including this example:

"Taffy was a Welsh man, Taffy was a thief.
Taffy came to my house and stole a lump of beef.
I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was in bed.
So I picked up a chopper, and chopped of his head."

**

Also, see John MacKenzie's 29 Apr 08 - 05:22 AM for a probably source for "Miss Susie Had A Baby". And each of these rhymes can probably traced back to the bawdy "Bang Bang Lulu" rhymes.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 02 Nov 08 - 03:15 PM

And each of these rhymes can probably traced back to the bawdy "Bang Bang Lulu" rhymes.

By "each of these rhymes", I meant
Mary had a baby, she called him Sonny Jim

Miss Susie {Miss Lucy and all the other female names used} Had A Baby/His Name Was Tiny Tim

Miss Lucy Had A Steamboat {Miss Susie etc}

When Susie {Pepples etc} Was One

**

I don't think that "When Taffy Was A Welshman" comes from the same source as the other rhymes I've listed.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: s&r
Date: 02 Nov 08 - 03:16 PM

'aahh,
unnnnggggghh, aaaahhhhh, unnnnnngggggh' (sex noises and actions)

Love it Azizi - now I know what I've been doing wrong...


Stu

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST,Rachel
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 08:33 AM

Hi, I grew up in Hertfordshire, England in the 1980's and we also used a suzy rhyme as a simple hand clap, but paused for the actions

When Suzy was a baby, a baby suzy was she went a wa wa wa wa wa

When Suzy was a toddler, a toddler suzy was she went a scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble scribble

When Suzy was a school girl, a school girl Suzy was she went a skip, skip, skip skip skip

When Suzy was a teenager, a tennager suzy was, she went a "ooh, aah, I've lost my bra, I've left my knickers in my boyfriend's car"

When Suzy was a mummy, a mummy suzy was, she went a bake bake bake bake bake

When suzy was a grandma, a grandma suzy was, she went a knit, knit, knit, knit knit

When Suzy was a skeleton, a skeleton suzy was she went a jingle, a jangle, a jingle jangle jangle

when suzy was an angel, an angel suzy was she went ah ha, ah ha ah ha ha ha

As I remember, we used to forget some of the lyrics and make up new ones. Each of the verses had actions

Hope this helps, Rachel

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 08:52 AM

Hello, Rachel.

Thanks for sharing the version of this story that I remember. I especially appreciate you remembering to include demographical information {where & when you chanted this rhyme].

Thanks also, Rachel, for sharing information about how you and your friends played this rhyme. I like that you and your friends made up new lyrics when some of the lyrics were forgotten. That's the folk process at work!

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST,Rachel
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 09:14 AM

Just remembered a couple of alternatives - probably the correct ones

school girl - "miss, miss, I can't do this, I've got my knickers in a great big twist"

Grandma - "knit, knit, I've lost a stitch"

Rachel

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: s&r
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 04:37 PM

Azizi your threads are always a joy to read and your courteous responses to posters are a lesson to us all

Sincerely

Stu

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 06:40 PM

Thanks, Stu.

I like to think of threads as a conversation between a specific person or persons. In a "real" conversation, people would thank a person for sharing so I like to do that in these online conversations.

I also consider threads to be opportunities to find out more information, and share information about the specific subject, and about folk music and the folk process. I certainly have learned a lot from reading Mudcat threads, and that's part of what makes coming here so worthwhile.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST,Temwa
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 09:14 PM

Every1, THIS is how it goes:

When Miss Mary was a baby, a baby, a baby, when Miss Mary was a baby, she went like this: Waa-Waa!

When Miss Mary was a toddler, a toddler, a toddler, when Miss Mary was a toddler, she went like this: Waa-Waa! Suck my thumb.

When Miss Mary was a kid, a kid, a kid, when Miss Mary was a kid, she went like this: Waa-Waa! Suck my thumb. Gimme piece of bubblegum. If you don't I dont care, I'll pull down your underwear!

When Miss Mary was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager, when Miss Mary was a teenager, she went like this: Waa-Waa! Suck my thumb. Gimme piece of bubblegum. If you don't I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear! Oops! I lost my bra...left it in my boyfriends car...

When Miss Mary was a mother, a mother, a mother, when Miss Mary was a mother, she went like this: Waa-Waa! Suck my thumb. Gimme piece of bubblegum. If you don't I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear! Oops! I lost my bra...left it inmy boyfriends car...Sh! Baby sleeping! Sh! Baby sleeping! Sh! Baby sleeping!

When Miss Mary was a granma, a granma, a granma, when Miss Mary was a Granma, she went like this: Waa-Waa! Suck my thumb. Gimme piece of bubblegum. If you don't I dont care, I'll pull down your underwear! Oops! I lost my bra...left it in my boyfriends car...Sh! Baby sleeping! Sh! Baby sleeping! Sh! Baby sleeping! Oops, I broke my neck!

*YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN FOR THE DEAD PART*

:D

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 11:12 AM

GUEST,Temwam that's an interesting version of the "When ___ Was A Baby" rhyme. Thanks for sharing it!

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:47 PM

Here's another version of When Susis Was A Baby that I just found on http://www.streetplay.com/discus/ Archive through December 3, 2004

miss susie was a baby, a baby, a baby, miss susie was a baby, and she went like this wahh, wahh!

miss susie was a toddler, a toddler,a toddler, atoddler, miss susie was a toddler, and she went like this mommy,mommy tie my shoe, daddy, daddy 2 + 2

miss susie was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager, miss susie was a teenager, she went like this, oo ah forgot my bra, left it in my boyfriends car, but he don't care, he don't care, he forgot his underwear!

miss susie was a mother, a mother, a mother, miss susie was a mother, and she went like this, get your hands out of that cookie jar!

miss susie was a grandmother, a grandmother, a grandmother, miss susie was a grandmother, and she went like this, are you hungry? want some ice cream?

miss susie was dead, was dead., was dead, miss susie was dead, and she went like this, la-dee-da-dee-da, boom crack oww, alllllll
miss susie went to heaven, to heaven, to heaven,miss susie went to heaven and she went like this, o wut the f*** is goin on up in here???

miss went to hell, to hell, to hell, miss susie went to hell and she went like this , hey, you, do you smell spmething burning, oh wait, you're burning ah!!!!!!!!
and that's the end, of miss susie!!!!!!!!
-By Alycia on Monday, July 28, 2003 - 09:06 pm

**

Somehow I forgot to thank GUEST 15 Aug 08 - 03:31 PM, and GUEST
10 Sep 08 - 08:05 PM for sharing their examples. I do so now. And I also want to thank all those persons who posted examples of this rhyme that where found on another website.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST,Tylar
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 09:18 PM

I leared this from my friend at school.

I think it goes like this:

When Pebbles was a baby, a baby, a baby, when Pebbles was a baby she went lke this waa waa. When Pebbles was a toddler, a toddler, a toddler when Pebbles was a toddler she went like this waa waa gimme a sucker. When Pebbles was a kid, a kid, a kid, when Pebbles was a kid she went like this waa waa gimme a sucker teacher teacher I know the answer. When Pebbles was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager, when Pebbles was a teenager she went like this waa waa gimme a sucker teacher teacher I know the answer oo ahh lost my bra must've left it in my boyfriends car. When Pebbles was a mother, a mother, a mother, when Pebbles was a mother she went like this waa waa gimme a sucker oo ahh lost my bra must've left it in my boyfriends car, shh the baby's sleeping. When Pebbles was a grandmother, a grandmother, a grandmother, when Pebbles was a grandmother she went like this waa waa gimme a sucker oo ahh lost my bra must've left it in my boyfriends car shh the baby's sleeping owwww!! my achy back! When Pebbles went to Heaven, to Heaven, to Heaven, when Pebbles went to heaven she went like this... Then you do everything else before and then say "awwwwwwwww" Like angels or whatever. My friend and I made that part up.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 30 Dec 08 - 09:34 PM

Thanks for sharing that example, GUEST,Tylar.

I suppose your use of the word "sucker" instead of "lollipop" could be a clue as to where you don't live. I didn't know that candy on a stick was called "suckers" until I moved to Western Pennsylvania. I'm not saying that's where you live, since I'm sure that other areas call "lollipops" suckers. But where I grew up {in New Jersey} a 'sucker' was someone who other people took advantage of...

Anyway, that's neither here nor there...The main thing I want to say is thanks.

Also, don't forget to check out other Mudcat threads {discussions} on children's rhymes. You'll find a partial listing at the top of the page under the heading "Related Threads".

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 11:13 AM

when susie was a baby a baby suzie was she went goo gaa goo goo ga
when susie was two she buckled her shoe
when suzie went to school she went miss miss i cant do this i left my knickers in a great big twist
when suzie was a teenager a teenager she was she went ooh aah i lost my bra i left my knickers in my boyfriends car

thats all i remember, i made some of my own up when i got bored when i was in primary school

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 03:31 PM

Thanks GUEST 09 Mar 09 - 11:13 AM for adding to the examples of this rhyme.

And thanks for using your creativity to compose some lines.

I hope that you keep using your creativity.

Best wishes,

Azizi

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST,nik
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 01:32 AM

i only the pebble one and i can only remember parts..

but i thought there was a part like
when pepple was in school, in school, in school when pebbles was in school she said two plus two is four, four plus four is eight, eight plus eight is sixteen...



...no? every thing else was accurate i think.

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 07:35 AM

Thanks Guest nik for sharing that line with us.

Best wishes,

Azizi

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST,Haunna
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 03:58 AM

When Miss Suzy was a baby, a baby, a baby, when Miss Suzy was a baby she went like this-wah wah
When Miss Suzy was a toddler, a toddler, a toddler, when Miss Suzy was a toddler, she went like this- wah wah, gimme a sucker
When Miss Suzy was a child, a child, a child, when Miss Suzy was a child she went like this-wah wah, gimme a sucker, daddy tie my shoe
When Miss Suzy was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager, when Miss Suzy was a teenager she went like this- wah wah, gimme a sucker, daddy tie my shoe, ooh ahh I lost my bra I left it in my boyfriend's car
When Miss Suzy was a mother, a mother, a mother, when Miss Suzy was a mother she went like this- wah wah, gimme a sucker, daddy tie my shoe, ooh ahh I lost my bra I left it in my boyfriend's car, Ssh baby's sleeping
when miss Suzy was a grandmother, a grandmother, a grandmother, when miss Suzy was a grandmother she went like this- wah wah, gimme a sucker, daddy tie my shoe, ooh ahh I lost my bra I left it in my boyfriend's car, ssh baby's sleeping, oh my aching back
when miss Suzy went to heaven, to heaven, to heaven, when miss Suzy went to heaven she went like this- wah wah, gimme a sucker, daddy tie my shoe, ooh ahh I lost my bra I left it in my boyfriend's car, ssh baby's sleeping, oh my aching back, what a little angel
when miss Suzy went to hell, to hell, to hell, when kiss Suzy went to hell she went like this- wah wah, gimme a sucker, daddy tie my shoe, ooh ahh I lost my bra I left it in my boyfriend's car, ssh baby's sleeping, oh my aching back, what a little angel, ROAR!

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 09:13 AM

Thanks, GUEST,Haunna, for sharing your version of this rhyme.

:o)

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: GUEST,Alyssa
Date: 01 Jun 09 - 10:52 PM

When me and my friend played it the lyrics were this

When Pebbles was a baby, a baby, a baby, when Pebbles was a baby she went lke this waa waa(Puts hands to eyes).

When Pebbles was a toddler, a toddler, a toddler when Pebbles was a toddler she wnt like this Give me a bottle.

When Pebbles was a kid, a kid, a kid, when Pebbles was a kid she went like this Tie my shoe.

When Pebbles was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager, when Pebbles was a teenager she went like this oo eee lost my bra.

When Pebbles was a mother, a mother, a mother, when Pebbles was a mother she went like this shhhhh

When Pebbles was a grandmother, a grandmother, a grandmother, when Pebbles was a grandmother she went like this Oh im getting old.

When Pebbles was an angel an angel an angel when Pebbles was an angel she went like Ohh its nice up here.

When Peebles was a devil a devil a devil when Pebbles was a devil she went like this hehehehe(*Laughs evily*)

Subject: RE: Children's rhyme: When Susie Was A Baby
From: Azizi
Date: 02 Jun 09 - 08:33 AM

Alyssa, thanks for sharing your version of this rhyme with us!