Duke of York

Oh, the noble duke of York, (bounce baby on your knee)
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill, (lift baby up high)
And marched them down again. (bring baby back down)
Oh, and when they’re up, they’re up. (lift baby up high)
And when they’re down, they’re down. (bring baby back down)
And when they’re only half way up, (hold baby only half as high)
They’re neither up nor down. (Hold baby up high, then bring baby back down)
He marched them to the left. (lean baby to the left)
He marched them to the right. (lean baby to the right)
He even marched them upside down. (gently turn baby upside down)
Now wasn't that a sight! (bring baby back up)

Variation: Share this song with toddlers and young children by having them march in a circle or in place and jump up when they sing, "up" and crouch down when they sing, "down."



Variation: Oh, the Grand Old Duke of York
Oh, the Grand Old Duke of York, (march in place)
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill, (lift child up or reach arms up high)
And he marched them down again. (lower child or arms)
And when they were up, they were up. (lift child up or reach arms up high)
And when they were down, they were down. (lower child or arms)
And when they were only half way up, (hold arms or child at waist height)
They were neither up nor down. (reach/lift up and down again)
Additional Verse:
Oh he marched them to the left.
And he marched them to the right.
Then he marched them round and round
And marched them out of sight.