Dingle Dangle Scarecrow Nursery Rhyme

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"Dingle Dangle Scarecrow" is a very popular children's song. Most people believe that it is a traditional nursery rhyme but it's not! In fact it's a song written by Mollie Russell-Smith (lyrics) and her brother Geoffry Russell-Smith (music) from England. It was first published as "Wide Awake" in 1964 by Mills Music, London.

The Speks have adapted "Dingle Dangle Scarecrow" to make it sound more like a traditional Irish song. We focus on the scarecrow and increase the tempo of the music to reflect the lively scarecrow who jumps up and shakes his hands and feet at the end of each verse! It is a great sing-along song.

For each chorus we reflect the scarecrow's tone of voice: We sing loud (5 lead voices) for when "he shouted very loud"; We sing quietly (1 lead voice) for when "he whispered very soft"; We sing normally (3 lead voices) for the first chorus because the scarecrow is just saying something in his normal voice.

Finally guitar, mandola, accordion, fiddle and flute play the first part of the Irish traditional reel called "Anderson's". This finale of Irish music symbolises the scarecrow's lively dancing as he shakes his hands and feet.

If you don't have Spotify, Apple Music, etc, go to our Scarecrow page on Bandcamp where you can listen to the full version of our nursery rhyme set to Irish music for free, share it with your friends, and/or buy the MP3 download.

Download our colouring sheet for Dingle Dangle Scarecrow. It was created for us by Sheena from Me and the Moon and it contains the text and illustrations of Dingle Dangle Scarecrow that appear in our book of nursery rhymes.

Lyrics for Dingle Dangle Scarecrow

(Original version written by Mollie Russell-Smith, England in 1964)

When all the cows were sleeping
And the sun had gone to bed
Up jumped the scarecrow
And this is what he said

Chorus:
I'm a dingle, dangle scarecrow
With a great big floppy hat
I can shake my hands like this
And I can shake my feet like that

When all the hens were roosting
And the moon behind a cloud
Up jumped the scarecrow
And shouted very loud

Loud Chorus

When dogs were in the kennels
And doves were in the loft
Up jumped the scarecrow
And whispered very soft

Soft Chorus
Loud Chorus

Youtube Video of Dingle Dangle Scarecrow

Click on the arrow below to watch our youtube video clip of "Dingle Dangle Scarecrow"

Original Sheet Music for Dingle Dangle Scarecrow

Here is the sheet music (or musical notes) of the original version of "Dingle Dangle Scarecrow" published by Mills Music in London in 1964. This song/publication is currently owned by EMI Harmonies Ltd.

Classroom Ideas for Dingle Dangle Scarecrow

Art: Make a model scarecrow from straw and old household material. Illustrate and paint a scarecrow. Watch an episode of Worzel Gummidge!

Social, Environmental and Scientific Education: What is a scarecrow's function? Are scarecrows still used today? How are they made? Stress the importance of crops. Combine with discussions on farming and the contribution that farmers make to society.