- published: 18 Jun 2014
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"Itsy Bitsy Spider" (also known as "Incy Wincy Spider" or "Eency Weency Spider" or "Inky Dinky Spider" or "Ipsy Wispy Spider" or "Ipsy Dipsy Spider") is a popular nursery rhyme that describes the adventures of a spider as it ascends, descends and reascends the downspout or "waterspout" of a gutter system (or, alternatively, the spout of a teapot or open-air reservoir). It is usually accompanied by a sequence of gestures that mimic the words of the song. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 11586.
There are various versions of the lyrics:
The Itsy Bitsy Spider or The Incy Weensy Spider is sometimes chanted rather than sung. Recitation of the rhyme is often combined with fingerplays representing the words. For the first (and last) line, alternately touch the thumb of one hand to the index finger of the other. For "Down came the rain" hold both hands up and wiggle the fingers as you lower the hands. For "washed the spider out" sweep the hands to the side. For the third line bring both hands up and then to the sides to sweep out a semicircle (the sun). Then wiggle the fingers upwards (to show the rain drying in the sun), and repeat the thumb/index finger movement to indicate the spider climbing up the spout.
The eensy weensy spider
went up the water spout
Down came the rain and
washed the spider out
Out came the sun and
dried up all the rain
And the eensy weensy spider
went up the spout again
Then the little spider
began to weave her thread
Of gossamer and silk
she spun herself a bed
Round and round she went
till all her work was done
And soon a magic web lay