The How-To Cowboy™ Rides Again, Bringing You Another Secret, Magic How-to Fun Trick: How to Sing Hand-Clap Song
Do you know hand clap songs? Try this simple warm-up. It’s called Double Double This That.
Face your partner. Raise both arms, crooked at the elbow, elbows down, hands balled in a fist, thumbs next to your chest. To get started, sing:
Double Double This This
Double Double That That
Double This
Double That
Double Double This That
Sing it rhythmically, equal weight to “Dou,” “ble,” “Dou,” “ble,” “This,” and “That.” Now, you and your partner each touch your balled fists on the “ble,” and slap your flat hands—palm side—on the “This,” and your flat hands — knuckle side — on the “That.”
Okay, now you are ready for the more challenging Miss Sue. Here’s the lyric:
Miss Sue
Miss Sue
Miss Sue from Ala-bam-a, A-las-ka, Ne-bras-ka
Sit-ting in a Roc-ker
Eat-ing Bet-ty Croc-ker
Wat-ching the clock go
Tick Tock Tick Tock Sha-walla-walla
Tick Tock Tick Tock Sha-walla-walla
A B C D E F G
Wash those boy germs off of me
Bush-ka Bush-ka Bush-ka Bush-ka Freeze
Bush-ka Bush-ka Bush-ka Bush-ka Freeze
The hand movement: Ask your partner to point their hands at you, prayer like, an inch apart. Clasp their hands, and tell her to clasp your hands as well. You get it, clasped and interlocked prayer hands. Then, while singing Miss Sue, each of you slide your hands back and clap twice. Repeat. Repeat again and then go into the rhythmic State and Roc-ker/Croc-ker/Clock go chant. Here you and your partner clap on each syllable of the State (Ne-bras-ka) and Rock-er chant, viz: A(clap)-las(clap)-ka(clap).
On Tick, point both index fingers to the left, then to the right on Tock, like a pendulum clock. Then rotate index fingers around each other at chest level during the Sha-Walla-Walla. Repeat.
While reciting the alphabet A through G—in typical sing-songy fashion—touch your forehead on A, nose on B, mouth on C, chin on D, neck on E, chest on F, and your belly button on G. Then Wash those boy germs off of me, you know, sweep your hands down your front, neck to waist, like brushing spilt sugar off your sweater.
Punctuate each Bush-ka with an outward thrust of the fists. On Freeze, extend hands, and hold still.
Special Announcement:
The winner of this month’s Ranch Hand Challenge is ten-year-old hand clap songstress
Shelly Preslan of Elyna, OH
Shelly discovered the How-To Cowboy while visiting Annapolis on Spring Break.
Accept the How-to Ranch Hand Challenge:
Send a unique how-to trick to IM Press, PO Box 5346, Takoma Park MD 20913. Include step-by-step instructions and, if accepted, you’ll see your trick published in this space and receive a Little Ned Stories book and a $10 check.
Meet the How-to Cowboy, aka Edward Allan Faine, Aug. 24 & 25 at North Beach’s Bayfest
or visit his website: www.takoma.com/ned/home.htm.
Kids Stuff
Friday, May 31
Hip Hop Hooray
Hop on down for some stories about Froggy, Jonathan London’s lovable frog, then see what you can make with Froggy stickers. 10am @ Barnes & Noble, Annapolis Harbour Center: 410/573-1115.
Sunday, June 2
A Day on the Farm
Ride a pony or an ox cart, drive a pedal-powered tractor (like Daniel America, left), make some art, eat some food, get your face painted, pet farm animals and check out antique farm equipment. Learn about Southern Maryland’s rural heritage through pottery, weaving, leather working and blacksmithing demonstrations and hands-on activities. Enjoy music from Bruce Hutton and Flyin’ Blind Bluegrass, stories from Ming Diaz, puppet comedy from Blue Sky Puppet Theater, magic from Ken Norris, and entertainment from Candy, Cupcake and Checkers the Clown. 11am–5pm @ Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, Rt. 265 off Rt. 264, Prince Frederick. Free admission, fees for some activities: 410/586-8501 • www.jefpat.org.
Wetland Wander
Explore the tidal wetlands. See osprey overhead and spatterdock underfoot — and find out what those things are. Boots not needed. 1–3pm @ Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Wrighton Rd. off Rt. 258, Lothian. $2.50 w/age discounts: 410/741-9330.
Tuesday, June 4
Meet Madeline
Hear Madeline’s story, then meet the famous French orphan. 10am @ Barnes & Noble, Annapolis Harbour Center: 410/573-1115.
Young Picasso
Kids 3-5, create your masterpiece with colored chalk. Register by May 31. 10:30am @ Northeast Community Center, Rt. 261, Chesapeake Beach. Free: 410/257-2554.
