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“Do Your Ears Hang Low?” is a cheerful action rhyme that invites children to sing, move, and laugh while exploring silly questions about floppy ears. Kids love this rhyme because it mixes humor with simple actions, making it easy to join in even on the first listen. The playful lyrics encourage children to wiggle, point, and pretend, which keeps them actively engaged rather than just listening. For parents and teachers, this rhyme is a lovely early learning tool as it supports language development, memory, and listening skills through repetition. The steady rhythm also helps children follow patterns and timing, while the actions strengthen coordination and body awareness. Its lighthearted tone creates a fun group experience, making it perfect for circle time, playgroups, or family sing-alongs at home.
Do Your Ears Hang Low Song Lyrics
This playful section shares the Do Your Ears Hang Low words that children enjoy singing along to with actions and laughter.
Do your ears hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie ’em in a knot?
Can you tie ’em in a bow?
Can you throw ’em o’er your shoulder
Like a Continental soldier?
Do your ears hang low?
Do your ears stand high?
Do they reach up to the sky?
Do they droop when they are wet?
Do they stiffen when they’re dry?
Can you wave them at your neighbor
With an element of flavor?
Do your ears stand high?
Do your ears flip-flop?
Can you use them as a mop?
Are they stringy at the bottom?
Are they curly at the top?
Can you use them for a swatter?
Can you use them for a blotter?
Do your ears flip-flop?
Do your ears stick out?
Can you waggle them about?
Can you flap them up and down
As you fly around the town?
Can you shut them up for sure
When you hear an awful bore?
Do your ears stick out?
Do your ears give snacks?
Are they all filled up with wax?
Do you eat it in the morning
Do you eat it in the bath?
Do you eat it with a scone
Or do you eat it on its own?
Do your ears give snacks?
Do your ears fall off?
Do they dangle when you cough?
Can you juggle them for fun?
And put them back when you are done?
Can you do some origami?
Can you chew them like salami?
Do your ears fall off?
Other Versions of the Do Your Ears Hang Low Song
Over the years, this rhyme has been adapted in fun and creative ways to keep children engaged while following the same familiar tune.
1. Do Your Arms Hang Low?
Do your arms hang low?
Do they swing to and fro?
Can you stretch them up high?
Can you touch your toes down low?
Can you wave them to your friends
And then clap them nice and slow?
Do your arms hang low?
2. Do Your Antlers Hang Low?
Do your antlers hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you shake them when you run
Through the shiny winter snow?
Can you lift them up so proud
Like a deer walking slow?
Do your antlers hang low?
3. Do Your Pigtails Hang Low?
Do your pigtails hang low?
Do they bounce to and fro?
Can you tie them with a bow?
Can you swing them nice and slow?
Do they wiggle when you dance
Everywhere you go?
Do your pigtails hang low?
4. Do Your Whiskers Hang Low?
Do your whiskers hang low?
Do they twitch to and fro?
Can you wiggle them like a cat
Creeping softly, moving slow?
Do they tickle when you laugh
As you put on a show?
Do your whiskers hang low?
Gestures – How to Teach Do Your Ears Hang Low to Kids
Using actions while singing Do Your Ears Hang Low keeps children active and makes learning more enjoyable through movement. These simple gestures help kids understand the words better while improving coordination and focus.
- Ask children to gently touch their ears and point them downward to show how ears might “hang low,” helping them link the words with actions.
- Encourage kids to slowly move their heads from left to right to act out the wobbling motion in a fun and relaxed way.
- Show how to pretend tying a knot by crossing fingers or hands, making the idea playful and easy to copy.
- Guide children to form a bow shape with their fingers or hands, using imagination to match the rhyme’s words.
- Have kids move one hand over their shoulder as if tossing something back, keeping the gesture light and child-friendly.
- Ask children to stand straight and give a cheerful salute at the end, adding excitement and a strong finish to the rhyme.
History & Quick Facts
“Do Your Ears Hang Low?” is a traditional children’s song with roots in the United States, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The rhyme does not have a single known author and is considered a folk song that was passed down orally over generations. Its lyrics are closely related to an older song called “Turkey in the Straw,” which provided the familiar tune many people recognize today. Over time, the playful questions and humorous imagery made the rhyme popular in schools, camps, and homes. Its simple structure and action-based style helped it spread easily among children and teachers. Today, it remains a well-loved nursery rhyme used worldwide for singing, movement, and early learning activities.
Interesting Facts
- The rhyme is often sung to the same tune as “Turkey in the Straw,” making it easy for adults and children to learn quickly.
- Many classrooms use the song as an action rhyme, encouraging children to move while singing.
- The lyrics have been adapted into many fun versions using arms, legs, or animals instead of ears.
- The rhyme has been translated into different languages while keeping the playful question-and-answer style.
- It is commonly used in preschools to support listening skills, memory, and coordination.
- The silly idea of ears that can wobble, tie, or throw makes children laugh and stay engaged.
Suitable Age & Learnings
“Do Your Ears Hang Low?” is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers aged 2 to 5 years, as the rhyme combines simple language with playful actions. It is especially effective for helping young children learn through movement, repetition, and fun group participation.
- Language development is supported through repeated phrases and rhyming words that help children understand sentence flow and sounds.
- Memory and recall improve as children remember the order of the lines and match actions to the lyrics.
- Motor skills and coordination develop when children perform actions like swinging, tying, and pretending along with the song.
- Body awareness increases as the rhyme encourages children to think about ears, arms, and other body parts in a playful way.
- Imagination and creativity grow as children picture silly ideas like ears that can wobble, tie, or throw over shoulders.
- Vocabulary building happens naturally as children learn and use words such as hang, wobble, fro, knot, and bow in context.
FAQs
1. What is the rhyming scheme of Do Your Ears Hang Low??
The rhyme follows a simple AABB rhyming pattern, which makes it easy for young children to remember and sing along.
2. Why is Do Your Ears Hang Low a good rhyme for group activities?
The song includes clear actions and a steady rhythm, making it perfect for circle time, classrooms, and playgroups where children can move and sing together.
“Do Your Ears Hang Low?” is a joyful nursery rhyme that blends music, movement, and imagination in a way young children love. Its silly questions and easy actions make it inviting for even the youngest learners to participate confidently. For parents and teachers, the rhyme offers a simple yet effective way to encourage language growth and physical activity together. The familiar tune and repeating structure help children feel comfortable and eager to join in. Whether sung at home, in school, or during playtime, it creates moments of shared laughter and learning. This timeless rhyme continues to be a warm, playful favorite that supports early childhood development in a fun and memorable way.
