PUSSY CAT, PUSSY CAT

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LS E-1

Formation: Single circle, facing the center. One child, the "Pussy Cat," is in the center.

SONG

Measures (6/8 time, 2 strong counts per meas.; i.e., 1-2 = 4 counts)

1 – 2 Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, where have you been?

3 – 4 I've been to London, to see the Queen.

5 – 6 Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, what did you there?

7 – 8 I frightened a little mouse, under her chair!

9 -16 Tra-la-la, tra-la,-la, la, la, la, la, etc.

ACTION

1 – 2 All sing question to Pussy Cat, shaking forefingers at her;

3 – 4 Pussy Cat walks around in a dignified manner, ending with a bow or curtsy;

5 – 6 All question Pussy Cat, walking toward her;

7 – 8 Pussy Cat pounces at the group, chasing them back into the circle;

9 -16 Children in circle join hands and walk eight slow steps to the right, then eight to the left, singing, while Pussy Cat chooses and changes places with a new center player.

Note: This singing game is very old, going back at least to the early 16^th century. The Queen referred to is probably Elizabeth I of England and the incident is supposed to be true. Many variations developed, such as:

"Little girl, little girl, where have you been?

Gathering roses to take to the Queen.

Little girl, little girl, what gave she you?

She gave me a diamond as big as my shoe."