This classic children’s rhyme has been around since the 1960s, although the original author is not fully known. The melody is the same as the 19th-century “There is a Tavern in the Town” which was first documented in 1883.
Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes teaches young children the names of many main body parts but the fun actions associated with the song make it a hit with older children too. As the verse is repeated the tempo increases, with more and more words omitted until the last run-through is a rapid series of just touching various body parts!
Alternative versions have been recorded by children’s entertainers which substitute different areas of the body while still keeping the same tune. It is also used in foreign language learning to get children to grips with the various body parts in French and Spanish, the tune lending itself to many languages aside from English.
Head Shoulders Knees and Toes Lyrics
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
And eyes and, ears and, mouth and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head Shoulders Knees and Toes Music Sheet
