Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush – Traditional English Singing Game

Players: 6–60+
Location: Indoors or outdoors
Age Group: Young children

Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush is a traditional singing and movement game that combines music, rhythm, and simple actions. It is one of the best-known children’s circle games and has been enjoyed for generations.

How to Play

Players stand in a circle holding hands.

As they sing the opening verse, they walk or skip around the circle:

Here we go round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush,
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
So early in the morning!

In the following verses, players act out the activity mentioned in the song while continuing to move around the circle.

For example:

• Monday: Pretend to wash clothes.
• Tuesday: Pretend to iron clothes.
• Wednesday: Pretend to scrub the floor.
• Thursday: Pretend to mend clothes.
• Friday: Pretend to sweep the house.
• Saturday: Pretend to play after the work is done.

At the end of each verse, during the line:

“So early in the morning!”

players spin around in place before rejoining the circle.

Modern Variations

Many groups update the actions to reflect modern activities. For example:

This is the way we brush our teeth…

This is the way we pack our bags…

This is the way we ride our bikes…

This is the way we play our games…

Children can also invent their own actions, making each round more creative and interactive.

Benefits

The game helps develop:

• Coordination
• Rhythm and timing
• Listening skills
• Group participation
• Imaginative play

Historical Note

Mulberry Bush is one of the oldest traditional children’s games in the English-speaking world. Folklore researchers believe it may have evolved from much older circle dances performed around trees or sacred plants. Over time, it became a popular children’s song and action game that continues to be played in schools, playgrounds, and family gatherings today.

Why It’s Fun

The combination of singing, movement, and acting makes Mulberry Bush easy for young children to learn and enjoyable for large groups. Because new verses and actions can be added endlessly, the game can be adapted for different ages, themes, and occasions.

Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush Printable