"The Monkeys and the Crocodile", by Laura E. Richards

[med_cat]

The Monkeys and the Crocodile

by Laura Elizabeth Richards

Five little monkeys

Swinging from a tree;

Teasing Uncle Crocodile,

Merry as can be.

Swinging high, swinging low,

Swinging left and right:

" Dear Uncle Crocodile,

Come and take a bite! "

Five little monkeys

Swinging in the air;

Heads up, tails up,

Little do they care.

Swinging up, swinging down,

Swinging far and near:

" Poor Uncle Crocodile,

Aren't you hungry, dear? "

Four little monkeys

Sitting in a tree;

Heads down, tails down,

Dreary as can be.

Weeping loud, weeping low,

Crying to each other:

" Wicked Uncle Crocodile

To gobble up our brother! "

Comments

[larryhammer]

A variation that counts down to no monkeys left is commonly sung with/taught to toddlers around here (with hand gestures):

Five little monkeys swinging in the tree (swing hand back and forth)
Teasing Mr. Alligator, "Can't catch me! Can't catch me!" (waggle finger)
Along came the Alligator, quiet as can be (palms together, glide through waters)
And SNAPPED one monkey right out that tree. (clap hands together in a big bite)

Four little monkeys ...

[med_cat]

I see :)