Lyr Add: One Finger One Thumb Keep Moving

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Finger One Thumb Keep Moving
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Oct 13 - 08:11 PM

At Park College (now Park University) just outside Kansas City, MO, the "Park Singers" performed this song, but with small groups of singers starting at different times. Our director, Prof Allen Larson, would snap his fingers at unexpected times, and we had to freeze in whatever position we were in, until he snapped his fingers again. I've taught the song (without the varied entries and finger snapping) to dozens of elementary school students for over 25 years. We always end each stanza with "merry and bright".

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Finger One Thumb Keep Moving
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 06:45 PM

Merry and Bright, Middlesex UK 1950's (sung at Brownies) Brown Owl (Miss Baglin, Brown Owl, huge bust bobbing up and down in time to the actions!!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Finger One Thumb Keep Moving
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 06:42 PM

Merry and Bright - north west UK 80's
I remember Mrs.Harmer dancing along to this one!
:-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Finger One Thumb Keep Moving
From: GUEST,Bizibod
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 11:52 AM

"Merry and bright",Infant + Junior School, Nottingham (UK)1960's.

Always featured in our school Christmas party with Mr Johnson, the very tall and large and unapproachable Headmaster in his grey 3 piece suit leading the actions. We found it hilarious.The rest of the year we never saw him as human.....

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Finger One Thumb Keep Moving
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 09:51 AM

Or, from Junior School Welsh lessons C1962:

Un bys, un bawd yn symud (*3)
A ni awn adref yn llon.

Un bys, un bawd, un braich, un coes,
Slap ar y frest
Codi a throi, i law ..




Cheers
Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Finger One Thumb Keep Moving
From: Susan of DT
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 04:55 AM

happy and gay. Brooklyn 1950s

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Finger One Thumb Keep Moving
From: gnomad
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 03:29 AM

"Merry and bright"; infants school E Yorkshire (UK) 1959/early 60s.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Finger One Thumb Keep Moving
From: Melissa
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 03:23 AM

'Merry and gay'
North MO gs pre-70s

When I taught it a few years ago, I left the words as they were and gave a comment in passing about "isn't it weird how words change meaning sometimes?!" Since our version includes sticking out your tongue (but not bobbing your head around) we weren't going to be singing it any place where someone might make a big deal out of the word anyway.

We also played "Poor Pussy" without changing the name.
Kids are generally smart enough to handle the idea that the way words are used does change and using them the old way doesn't hurt anything.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Finger One Thumb Keep Moving
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 02:22 AM

"jolly and bright" 6th Ellesmere Port Scouts 1960s

L in C

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: One Finger One Thumb Keep Moving
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 10 - 01:00 AM

Why not just say, "and we'll all be happy at play"???

Subject: RE: Lyr. add: One finger one thumb
From: sharon
Date: 11 Sep 98 - 10:36 PM

Yep, I'm from the happy and gay tradition too. Too bad good words have to fall into bad repute through no fault of their own.

Subject: RE: Lyr. add: One finger one thumb
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Sep 98 - 08:50 PM

The version I knew ended with "happy and gay," and I didn't figure it was wise to continue using it. I'm glad to know of alternate endings.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr. add: One finger one thumb
From: BSeed
Date: 10 Sep 98 - 08:05 PM

Lordy, lordy! There's actually a song matching my description of frailing? Wa-all, ah do declare. --seed

Subject: RE: Lyr. add: One finger one thumb
From: alison
Date: 10 Sep 98 - 08:01 PM

Hi,

we used to sing "we'll all be merry and bright" as the endings to the verses.

slainte

alison

Subject: Lyr Add: ONE FINGER ONE THUMB KEEP MOVING
From: Bert
Date: 10 Sep 98 - 12:45 PM

From the "clawhammer" thread

ONE FINGER ONE THUMB KEEP MOVING

One finger, one thumb keep moving,
One finger, one thumb keep moving,
One finger, one thumb keep moving,
And we'll all have a jolly good time.

Two fingers, two thumbs keep moving,
Two fingers, two thumbs keep moving,
Two fingers, two thumbs keep moving,
And we'll all have a jolly good time.

Two fingers, two thumbs, one arm keep moving....

Two fingers, two thumbs, two arms keep moving....

Two fingers, two thumbs, two arms, one leg keep moving....

Two fingers, two thumbs, two arms, two legs keep moving....

Two fingers, two thumbs, two arms, two legs, a nod of the head keep moving....

Two fingers, two thumbs, two arms, two legs, a nod of the head, stand up and sit down keep moving....

Two fingers, two thumbs, two arms, two legs, a nod of the head, stand up and sit down, stand up and turn 'round keep moving....

Bert.