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Bingo is a joyful and rhythmic children’s rhyme that tells the story of a farmer and his lovable dog named Bingo. Kids enjoy its catchy repetition, playful clapping, and the excitement of spelling the dog’s name using sounds and actions. The rhyme supports early learning by helping children build letter recognition, rhythm, and memory skills—all while having a great time singing along.
Bingo Song Lyrics
Here is a short introduction to help kids understand the fun behind spelling and clapping as they learn the Bingo words.
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
B-I-N-G-O
B-I-N-G-O
B-I-N-G-O
And Bingo was his name-o.
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(clap)-I-N-G-O
(clap)-I-N-G-O
(clap)-I-N-G-O
And Bingo was his name-o.
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(clap)-(clap)-N-G-O
(clap)-(clap)-N-G-O
(clap)-(clap)-N-G-O
And Bingo was his name-o.
Other Versions of the Bingo Song
Many preschools and families enjoy playful variations of the classic Bingo tune. These versions often change the clapping pattern, replace letters with animal sounds, or introduce new characters while keeping the familiar rhythm kids love.
1. Animal Sound Version (Woof / Moo / Meow Variation)
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
B-I-N-G-O,
B-I-N-G-O,
B-I-N-G-O,
And Bingo was his name-O.
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Woof)-I-N-G-O,
(Woof)-I-N-G-O,
(Woof)-I-N-G-O,
And Bingo was his name-O.
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Woof)-(Woof)-N-G-O,
(Woof)-(Woof)-N-G-O,
(Woof)-(Woof)-N-G-O,
And Bingo was his name-O.
2. Action Version (Clap / Stomp / Snap Variation)
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
B-I-N-G-O,
B-I-N-G-O,
B-I-N-G-O,
And Bingo was his name-O.
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Clap)-I-N-G-O,
(Clap)-I-N-G-O,
(Clap)-I-N-G-O,
And Bingo was his name-O.
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Stomp)-(Clap)-N-G-O,
(Stomp)-(Clap)-N-G-O,
(Stomp)-(Clap)-N-G-O,
And Bingo was his name-O.
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Snap)-(Stomp)-(Clap)-G-O,
(Snap)-(Stomp)-(Clap)-G-O,
(Snap)-(Stomp)-(Clap)-G-O,
And Bingo was his name-O.
3. Name Swap Version (Customizable Name)
This version allows teachers or parents to replace Bingo with any short name—great for personalizing the rhyme.
Example with “Rocky”:
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Rocky was his name-O.
R-O-C-K-Y,
R-O-C-K-Y,
R-O-C-K-Y,
And Rocky was his name-O.
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Rocky was his name-O.
(Clap)-O-C-K-Y,
(Clap)-O-C-K-Y,
(Clap)-O-C-K-Y,
And Rocky was his name-O.
4. Classroom Theme Version (Letters Replaced by Words)
A fun version where each missing letter becomes a classroom word.
There was a teacher in a class,
And Bingo was her game-O.
B-I-N-G-O,
B-I-N-G-O,
B-I-N-G-O,
And Bingo was her game-O.
There was a teacher in a class,
And Bingo was her game-O.
(Pencil)-I-N-G-O,
(Pencil)-I-N-G-O,
(Pencil)-I-N-G-O,
And Bingo was her game-O.
Then came the children one by one,
Ready for the game-O.
(Pencil)-(Book)-N-G-O,
(Pencil)-(Book)-N-G-O,
(Pencil)-(Book)-N-G-O,
And Bingo was their game-O.
Gestures – How to Teach Bingo to Kids
Here’s a simple and engaging way to help young children follow along with the Bingo rhyme using easy movements they will enjoy. These gestures support rhythm, coordination, and active participation.
- Start by patting your knees gently to set the rhythm.
- Spell out each letter (B-I-N-G-O) using big arm movements.
- Replace each missing letter with a clear clap as the song progresses.
- Point to your ear to remind kids to listen carefully for which letters are silent.
- Circle your hands like a spotlight when saying, “And Bingo was his name-O.”
- End with cheerful waving to celebrate finishing the rhyme.
History & Quick Facts
The rhyme Bingo is believed to date back to the late 18th century, with early versions appearing in British song collections around 1780. The earliest printed version was titled “The Farmer’s Dog Bango,” and over time the name evolved into the familiar “Bingo.” Although the exact writer is not known, the rhyme grew popular through oral tradition, traveling from England to America and other parts of the world. Its catchy tune and interactive letter-clapping structure helped it become a beloved classic in classrooms, nurseries, and family settings.
Interesting Facts
- The earliest known version referred to the dog as Bango, not Bingo.
- Bingo is a spelling game rhyme, helping kids learn letters through rhythm and repetition.
- The tune has stayed mostly unchanged for centuries, which shows how timeless it is.
- It is widely translated into multiple languages for preschool use around the world.
- Many teachers adapt the rhyme by adding sounds, gestures, or new characters to engage children.
- Its interactive structure makes it one of the most popular early-learning songs globally.
Suitable Age & Learnings
This rhyme is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers, typically from 2 to 6 years old, as they begin exploring letters and rhythm. The repetitive structure makes it easy for young learners to follow along and remember.
Key Learnings for Kids:
- Children develop letter recognition and sequencing as they repeatedly see and spell the name “Bingo” in order.
- The rhyme strengthens phonics awareness by encouraging kids to pronounce each letter sound aloud.
- It enhances listening and memory skills as children follow the pattern of which letters to say and which to replace with claps.
- Kids build rhythm and coordination by matching their claps to the tune as more letters are removed.
- The song expands vocabulary building with simple words like farmer, dog, and name, helping children understand everyday concepts.
- It supports social participation as children sing, clap, and take turns together in a fun group activity.
FAQs
1. What is the rhyming scheme of Bingo?
The Bingo song follows a repetitive verse structure rather than a strict rhyming scheme, with the focus on spelling and clapping patterns.
2. Is Bingo a good rhyme for teaching letters?
Yes, Bingo is excellent for teaching letter recognition because children spell the dog’s name repeatedly and replace letters with claps as the song progresses.
Bingo remains one of the most loved nursery rhymes thanks to its cheerful tune, interactive spelling, and playful clapping patterns. It’s a wonderful tool for parents and teachers who want to make early learning fun and engaging. With its rich history and simple structure, Bingo continues to delight new generations. Encourage your child to sing along, clap proudly, and enjoy every moment of learning through music!
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