Ants marching like military troops while one stops to tie it's shoelace

The Ants Go Marching 🐜

This rhyme imaginatively follows the movement pattern of ants, with each verse featuring ants “marching” in numbers from one to ten, accompanied by humorous actions taken by the smallest ant. The rhythm and repetitive structure make it a fun and engaging nursery rhyme, often used for children’s entertainment and learning.

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one, the little one stops to suck his thumb.
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two, the little one stops to tie his shoe.
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
—
(The pattern continues through ten, with fun rhymes such as The little one stops to: climb a tree, shut the door, take a dive, pick up sticks, pray to heaven, shut the gate, check the time, and shout “The End!”)

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Recitals

Listen as male American:

Listen as female American:

What is the Meaning of ‘The Ants Go Marching’ Nursery Rhyme?

“The Ants Go Marching” is a popular children’s counting and marching rhyme. It helps children learn numbers from one to ten through a repetitive and engaging song. The ants represent teamwork and community, marching in unison to accomplish a common goal. It encourages counting, rhythm, and cooperative play, making learning fun and interactive.

History and Origin of the Rhyme

Origin

The tune is derived from the American Civil War song “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” written by Patrick Gilmore in 1863. The nursery rhyme adapted this melody and transformed it into a lighthearted children’s song, replacing soldiers with ants.

Time Period

The rhyme was popularized in the 20th century but is based on a much older melody and themes from the mid-19th century.

Historical or Cultural Notes

The melody’s Civil War origins contrast with the playful children’s rhyme it inspired. It remains widely used in classrooms and children’s music worldwide.

Why It Became Popular

Its catchy and repetitive structure makes it easy for children to memorize. The combination of counting, music, and fun actions has made it a staple in early childhood education and group activities.

Notable Variants

Some versions adapt actions or end the count at different numbers; others change the rhymes for the little one’s activities.

Structure, Style, and Themes

Structure and Style

Meter: Marching rhythm, repetitive
Rhyme Scheme: Alternating rhymes (AABB)
Line Count: Six lines per verse
Style Notes: Counting rhyme, action song, playful

Themes

Counting and numbers
Teamwork and cooperation
Rhythm and movement
Childhood play and learning

Language Notes

Uses simple, repetitive language ideal for young children to learn counting, basic verbs (stop, march), and body actions (suck thumb, tie shoe).

Moral or Lesson

Promotes cooperation, counting skills, and physical participation through rhythm and movement.

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Suggested Activities

Counting Game: Use physical marching or clapping to follow the rhyme.
Movement Activity: Act out the little one’s actions in each verse.
Music Lesson: Teach rhythm and melody with simple instruments.
Creative Writing: Encourage children to invent new verses and actions.

📚🎈 Literature and Children’s Media

Anthologies and Collections: The song is a ubiquitous feature in children’s songbooks, nursery rhyme compilations, and educational curricula focused on counting (from one to ten) and simple rhythm games.
Picture Book Adaptations (Count-and-Sing): Numerous board books and picture books are based on the rhyme, often featuring bright, repetitive illustrations to reinforce number recognition and actions:
- One popular edition is The Ants Go Marching: A Count-and-Sing Book by Priscilla Burris, which is specifically designed as an interactive book to teach math concepts.
- Other versions include those with unique endings or extended verses beyond “ten by ten.”
Adult Fiction/Media Allusion: The song’s tune, which is also that of the American Civil War song “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” is occasionally referenced in adult media to evoke themes of cyclical movement, military parades, or impending doom (a darker take on the military origin), such as in films or TV scores.

🧸🪆 Toys and Cultural Significance

Musical Origins (Folk History): This song may have borrowed its melody from the earlier Irish tune “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” or the drinking song “Johnny Fill Up the Bowl” making it a complex piece of folk music history.
Children’s Music and Video: The song is a massive hit on children’s streaming platforms, with animated versions by major producers like CoComelon and Super Simple Songs (e.g., The Ants Go Marching | Kids Songs | Super Simple Songs). These videos typically showcase the little ant performing the actions described (sucking his thumb, tying his shoe, etc.) to enhance engagement and learning.
Learning Tool: The song is universally utilized by educators and parents for teaching counting, one-to-one correspondence, and rhyming due to its predictable, repetitive structure and easy-to-learn tune.

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