Headin' On Down To The Barn

Materials:

The song, Headin' On Down to the Barn from Red Grammer's award-winning recording, Down the Do Re Mi

Click on Heading On Down to the Barn and it will bring you to another lesson for this song that includes glove puppets. The glove puppets may also be used for this movement lesson.

Motions:

First Verse: Long ago, I grew up on a farm	Arch one hand in a rainbow form towards the back of you.
Eight years old heading down to the barn	Hold up 8 fingers then point thumb behind you.
5 o’clock each and every day	Slowly raise your left hand with 5 fingers stretched out.
The animals knew I was on my way	Right hand has first 2 fingers in an upside down V to be used like feet walking. Have the two fingers on the right hand walk down the left arm starting at the inside of elbow down to the finger tips.
With some milk, some feed, and a bale of hay	Reach down with your left hand like you’re lifting a heavy pail of milk. Still pretending you’re holding the pail of milk, reach down with your right hand and pretend you’re lifting a heavy bucket of feed. Then pretend to use a pitch fork to dig into the hay and throw it over your shoulder
I always knew they were happy to see me	Hands open on either corner of your mouth with a big smile.
Chorus: The cat meowed	Pulling pretend whiskers.
The dog went, “woof”	Hands are open and fingers are pressed together with palms facing out. Put them up by your head for dog ears. As you make the dog ear motion say, “woof”
And the horse went, “phbbbbb” when he stomped his hoof	Head down and shake it while saying, “phbbbb” and then stomp one foot.
And the turkey gobble-gobbled	Hands under your armpits like you are flapping your wings, just like in the chicken dance!
And the cow went, “mooooo"	Each hand has the first finger and thumb make an L shape (the right hand will have a backward L). Place your L shaped hands on top of your head to make cow horns*. At the same time your chin is down and raise your head up while saying “Mooo”
And the itty-bitty baby went, “boo-hoo hoo”	Pretend to cradle a baby in your arms and then rub underneath your eyes with a closed fist like you are rubbing away tears.
‘Cause he was hungry, too!	Rub your stomach.
Second verse is the same as the first only hold up 9 fingers for “9 years old”
Chorus: same as above
Third verse: same as the first verse but the final line is “Hey Dad” they were happy to see me!” Then repeat chorus as above.	Cup hands like a megaphone to show you are yelling “hey Dad” then point to yourself with a big smile.

*Most domestic cows (yes, female cattle) have horns. Cattle that lack horns naturally are referred to as polled. In most breeds, this is a recessive trait. However, some breeds -- Polled Herefords, for example -- are naturally hornless. So why do you see so many cows without horns? The farmers remove the horns. This is a management technique; cows often live in crowded conditions. And it's also easier to get a cow's head into a stanchion for milking (the cow, not her head) if she has been de-horned.