Hokey Cokey Lyrics : Rhymes That Get Kids Up and Moving

“Hokey Cokey” also known as “Hokey Pokey” is a famous campfire song and dance with a distinctive accompanying tune and lyric structure. It is a joyful kids’ nursery rhyme and participation song. Most often it is performed as an action songs or dancing songs where children must perform certain actions during the lyrics. At the social gatherings, this song encourages to dance in a group.

It is well known in English-speaking countries. It originates in a British folk dance, with variants attested as early as 1826. The song and accompanying dance peaked in popularity as a music hall song and novelty dance in the mid-1940s in the UK. Despite several claims of a recent invention, numerous variants of the song exist with similar dances and lyrics dating back to the 19th century.

“Hokey-Cokey” Lyrics

You put your right foot in
You take your right foot out
You put your right foot in
And you shake it all about
You do the hokey pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about

You put your left foot in
You take your left foot out
You put your left foot in
And you shake it all about
You do the hokey pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about

You put your right hand in
You take your right hand out
You put your right hand in
And you shake it all about
You do the hokey pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about

You put your left hand in
You take your left hand out
You put your left hand in
And you shake it all about
You do the hokey pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about

You put your head in
You take your head out
You put your head in
And you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around
That`s what it`s all about

You put your whole self in
You take your whole self out
You put your whole self in
And you shake it all about
You do the hokey pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about

Frequently asked questions (FAQ's) based on “Hokey-Cokey”

How do you play Hokey-Cokey ?

Answer : Most often it is performed as an action songs or dancing songs where children must perform certain actions during the lyrics. At the social gatherings, this song encourages to dance in a group. In this dance form the people make a circle and shake their arms and legs on a same time and in the same direction forward or backward to enjoy the gatherings.

What is the Hokey-Pokey song ?

Answer : The Hokey-Cokey a party dance and song in which people stand in a circle, shake their arms and legs one at a time, and move forwards and backwards: Thousands of England fans gathered in the square to sing songs and dance the Hokey Cokey. It is very famous dance song which the people enjoy in the groups. It can be also used in any type of game also where the people gathered for the same purpose or for enjoyment.

When was Hokey-Cokey song written ?

Answer : The general belief is that Charles Mack, Taft Baker, and Larry Laprise wrote the American version of the song “The Hokey Pokey” in 1949 to entertain skiers at the Sun Valley Resort in Idaho. The song was a hit at the resorts.

Is it hokey-Cokey or Hokey-Pokey ?

Answer : Hokey Pokey song became popular as Hokey Cokey in the 1940s. It became famous after 1940 as Hokey Pokey.

When was the Hokey Pokey song written ?

Answer : The Hokey Pokey song was written in 1942.

What age is hokey-pokey for ?

Answer : Three-year-olds begin to participate in group games and circle dances allowing them to enjoy the social experience of music and movement. Three year old children are able to enjoy on this dance moves they must copy the others and enjoy fully in the gathering.

Why is the Hokey-Pokey good for kids ?

Answer : The Hokey-Pokey song teach children their right from their left , it also able to teach the children other directions also. This song provides kids easy and enjoyable knowledge.

When the song Hokey-Pokey was copyright ?

Answer : This dance song was copyright in 1940.

When the song Hokey-Pokey was recorded ?

Answer : This dance song was recorded in 1950.

Some more details based on “Hokey-Cokey”

The song typically involves a series of physical movements, with participants putting various body parts in and out, shaking them about, and turning around. The movements are often accompanied by a simple, repetitive melody, and the song is frequently used as a group activity or icebreaker.

The origins of the “Hokey-Cokey” rhyme are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have evolved from a traditional folk dance that was popular in the 19th century. The song was later adapted and simplified for children, and has since become a beloved part of many families’ music and dance traditions.

The song has also become popular in other parts of the world, and has been translated into many languages. In some regions, the song has been adapted with local variations of the lyrics or dance movements. In addition to its use as a children’s song and party game, the “Hokey-Cokey” has also been used as a theme song for various sports teams and events.

Some activities for children's based on "Hokey-Cokey"

Hokey-Cokey Puppet: Make puppets with the children using cardboard, sticks, and craft materials. You can ask them to decorate their puppets with different colors and designs. Then, encourage them to perform the Hokey Cokey dance with their puppets.

Note: This activity helps to enhance children’s creativity and imagination.

Hokey-Pokey Freeze: Play the Hokey Pokey song and ask the children to dance. However, when the music stops, they have to freeze in the position they are in. You can give them different instructions such as “freeze like a statue” or “freeze like a dinosaur”.

Note: This activity helps to develop children’s listening and following instructions skills.