November 2019 Song of the Month
Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow
 TRADITIONAL
 This song may be downloaded for free and used for any purpose that is not for profit.
 
CLICK HERE to print the words. PDF)
 CLICK HERE for the sheet music  (PDF)
 DOWNLOAD as an MP3  (How to do it)


This traditional English/American folk song has endured since at least since the 1800’s. Its sweet and calming melody is easy for children to sing and it’s a wonderful circle dance which can be done by the youngest children. Here in the United States as we welcome November, we turn our attention to Thanksgiving and coming together with gratitude for family and friends and the sharing of food prepared by all. So celebrating farmers and their year-round attention to the growing of our food is a wonderful way to celebrate that gratitude. That being said, this is a great song to sing and dance all year round.
DIRECTIONS FOR THE CIRCLE DANCE: Children hold hands and walk in a circle singing during chorus, stop and do hand motions during each verse.
NOTE: Many recordings of this song- especially on YouTube, are sung at a fast tempo, making it difficult for young children to both sing and do the motions. I have intentionally recorded it at a slower tempo which also accentuates the lilting and calming quality of the beautiful melody. The capabilities of the young children I sing with always guide my choices of tempo. 

Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley Grow

CHORUS:

Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow.
Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow.
Do you or I or anyone know
How oats, peas, beans, and barley grow?

 

First the farmer sows his seed   
(pretend to scatter seeds)
 Stands up tall and takes his ease   
(hands on hips)
 Stamps his feet and claps his hands   
(stamp and clap)
 And turns around to view his land   
(shade eyes and turn around ) 
(CHORUS)

 

Next the farmer waters the ground   
(pretend to hold hose)
 Watches the sunshine all around   
(make sun overhead)
 Stamps his feet and claps his hands   
(stamp and clap)
 And turns around to view his land 
(CHORUS)

 

Next the farmer hoes the weeds   
(pretend to hoe)
 Stands up tall and takes his ease   
(hands on hips)
 Stamps his feet and claps his hands   
(stamp and clap)
 And turns around to view his land   
(stamp and clap) 
(CHORUS)

 

Last the farmer harvests his seed   
(pretend to gather plants)
 Stands up tall and takes his ease   
(hands on hips)
 Stamps his feet and claps his hands   
(stamp and clap)
 And turns around to view his land   
(shade eyes and turn around) 
(CHORUS)