When I was little my Nanna use to recite this little rhyme to me…
I climbed up stimber stammer,
I looked over Lumber Leigh
I saw Tom Tricken Tracken
In the land of Wicken Whacken
I told Hucken Bucken
You go chase Tom Tricken Tracken out of the land of Wicken Whacken.
The rhyme is about a child, a rabbit, and a dog. There are motions of climbing the stairs, looking over the land and telling the dog. We loved doing the rhyme. I’ve tried over these many years to find where it comes from, with no luck.
Growing up in the 1950’s my brother and I would ask Nanna to tell us about Hucken Bucken with all the hand motions. I’ve searched over the years to find its origin, with no luck.
There are those special gifts that stay in our memories, like Granny’s little house, and my Tiny Tears Doll, that I still have, but it’s the traditions and the little rhymes that we pass down that continue through the ages. Long after the physical things have gone.
—Karen
I’ve never heard the rhyme Karen’s Nanna used to say, but the hand motions remind me of the game going on a bear hunt one plays with children.
I like Karen’s thoughts about handing down things like rhymes to our children and grandchildren.
When our girls were growing up I was often reminded of games and rhymes from my childhood that I shared with them. I’m sure they will do the same as their boys mature.
Last night’s video: Making Golden Milk & Cheese.
Tipper
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My dad taught me ours from what his mom taught him as a child. Dad is now 65. I apologize for any spalling errors I sounded some of the words or names the best I could.
I was taught a version that went like this
I went up stimper stamper
Looked out lumber Leigh
Saw white in Dewight
Called Helgum Belgum
To drive Tom Tigam Tagum
Out of the land of wigum wagon
Old lady churning in a chamber pail
Nigally naggaly new
With a rusty pot hook
Came Jonny bang doodle
Russel Russel the old canoe
I was told it was translated to this:
I went up the stairs
Looked out the window
Saw the cow in the wheat
Called the dog
To drive the cow
Out of the wheat field
No translation was given to me for the “second verse”
Thanks all for sharing.
Jason
Yes I made that spalling mistake twice on purpose.
That’s so interesting.
My grandmother taught me this as a child
I went up Helter Skelter
and looked out Gable Lee
There I saw Tom Tickum Tackum
in the world of Wickum Wackum.
I went down Helter Skelter
to get Helm Belm
to get Tom Tickum Tackum
out of the world of Wickum Wackum.
I have always searched to see the origin, but never found anything.
My mother, Lou Davis Curtis, from Swain County, often entertained young toddlers with this rhyme while holding small toes (similar to This Little Piggie):
Toe tight,
Penny white,
Toe tistle,
Penny whistle,
And a bob bob bob bob.
Is that Fannie Lou Davis 1927-2013? Do the names DeHart, Walls, and Breedlove sound familar? If so, we are 4th cousins.
Thank you for sharing the rhyme Tom Tricken Tracken with the readers, that my Nanna use to recite to me. Maybe some day I will find out the origan of it. It may be that it was something that was native to the south eastern part of Pennsylvania. At any rate it brings back precious memories of my Nanna and my childhood.
My elderly cousin was a long retired teacher and taught my toddler the following with motions:
A woodpecker pecked at a little round hole
And made himself a house in the telephone pole.
I used it myself as a rhythm exercise in my music classes.
Never heard of Tom Tricken Tracken, but it is a catchy one. This post seems so timely, as yesterday I was thinking back on some of the rhymes we used to chant while jumping rope in elementary school. “Twenty-four robbers came knocking at the door…”
What a surprise to open your email and see the picture of children dancing. I have this exact same full size print and always have wondered about it’s origin. Like…What country are these happy, dancing children from? What era was this? Etc. So far I’ve not been able to source much info. Anyone else familiar with this painting?
I think this is one of the cutest rhymes I’ve ever heard. I’ve taught my granddaughter many rhymes and games that I played as a child and I will definitely share this one with her. We get a good laugh when she asks me and her granddaddy what we did in the “old days” for fun when we were kids, lol.
Prayers for Nana, Granny and her brother.
Meant to say after I read the Blind Pig and Acorn and view Tipper’s videos, I go up and click on Music which takes me to a page where I can click on The Blind Pig and Acorn and it goes to Paul’s music on utube videos, and when I click on the Pressley Girls it takes me to their utube videos.
I guess I was just a little late to figure this out:)
I certainly remember those precious rhymes we said as children and my parents saying “This Little Piggy” with our children’s toes, “Ride a Little Horsey;” myself playing “London Bridge, ” and “Ring Around the Rosey”. Even my Mother in her 80’s repeating “Froggy Went A Courtin,” and my Aunt in her 80’s repeating “Barbara Allen.”
My son makes ricotta cheese but he doesn’t have a InstaPot, which looks like it would be easier. I like ricotta cheese and mozzarella. Your golden milk drink looks really good and they say coconut milk is much healthier than whole milk.
Wanted to say also that I hadn’t realized that Paul had Old Timey Songs on Tuesdays and original songs on Thursday. Anyway, I certainly enjoy them and just a shout out to Granny, you sure raised three precious followers of Christ! I’m sometimes awe struck as to how God’s goodness flows from Paul. May you all have a great day! God Bless praying for you all!
My mother used to recite a little rhyme that contained the words,
“Tom Toddy, Tom Toddy
All head and no body.”
The rest I have forgotten.
I haven’t yet determined the source. There have been suggestions that they came from an almost forgotten play from West Glamorgan in Wales. The play was performed by a group of teenaged boys who went door to door at Christmastime playing their parts, in order, hoping for a “handout”. It harkens back to the days of Oliver Cromwell and might have been a form of political satire akin to the more common Humpty Dumpty rhyme.
All that said to reach a point, perhaps Tom Toddy and Tom Tricken Tracken were related or at least knew or knew of each other.
I’ve never heard that rhyme, but I still have my Tiny Tears doll.
I have never heard this but I love it. I have always loved nursery rhymes. When I go over to my daughter’s house they unlock the door knowing I am coming. I go right in and I will recite this old rhyme, “Here I am little jumping Joan, when no ones with me I jump all alone.” or the opening line from an old TV show from the 50’s. “You Hoo it’s me, my name is Pinky Lee.” That was The Pinky Lee Show.
I have done this for years. I don’t know why. I guess I come from a time when we thought we had to have a greeting.
Te rhyme I passed to my son was the following:
The goops they lick their fingers, and the goops they lick their knives.
They spill their broth on the tablecloth, oh they lead disgusting lives!
The goops they talk while eating,
and loud and fast they chew!
That’s why I’m not a goop…are you?
I would make silly faces while reciting it. I’m sure if I asked him he could recite it making silly faces
Yep, I’m a goop too!
If nobody knows where the little rhyme came from then we’ll credit your Nanna with it! Why not?
Tipper, enjoyed the video last night! I also make golden tumeric milk this time of year as an occasional eplacement for, say, hot chocolate or afternoon tea. The recipe I have starts with making a paste of the tumeric, about a teaspoon, and a tablespoon of ghee, butter or coconut oil in your pan. Once that is blended into a paste and warm, whisk in your milk choice , you can add the cinnamon stick or shake some in. . I like it best with whole milk, but I have made it with almond, or coconut milk and that is also lovely. The nut milks can be sweetened, or not, or vanilla flavored nut milk were a treat. You can add a drop or two of vanilla paste in. you can add honey, if you like. I was told that the beginning mix of tumeric and chosen fat/oil activates the wellness properties of the tumeric. Give it a try and enjoy!
I’ve never heard Tom Tricken Tracken before but the game going on a bear hunt and Baa Baa Black Sheep and Little Boy Blue rhymes were a given!!
Everyone enjoy your day!
I’ve not heard of that little rhyme either. It would be interesting to know its origins.
I have forgotten how the children’s game goes about bear hunting. I can remember something about running but that’s it.
Rhonda-there are a few videos of it on YouTube. Hope you have a good weekend 🙂
I never heard that rhyme before Karen wrote about, but wish I had. I remember playing London Bridge , Ring Around the Rosy and even taught them to my daughter, granddaughter and when I taught Preschool. The Ring around the rosy was a little different than the original version that said “ashes, ashes”. The one I was taught said “blue birds, black birds”. It wasn’t until my daughter learned in college the meanings to both nursery rhymes in one of her literature classes. I had no idea London Bridge was about the bridge actually falling down and that Ring around the Rosy was about people dying from the black plague, at least the version that said ashes, ashes. To me and everyone I knew who played the nursery rhyme games they were just fun games that got us kids moving and laughing together. I was sad to learn the truth behind the rhymes, but still think of them as just fun childhood games we played.
My great aunt,Ola Lovelace, was a school teacher. She would often
Stop by our house and read to me. I was often read to, but she was special. She brought me a poem and rhythm book once. I still have that book after almost 65 years. I can still recall many of the verses from memory. …..and I also have my tiny tears doll.
That rhyme is very sweet! I wish I knew where it came from too. Had never heard it until this post.
My Nana did lots of “This Little Piggy” rhymes with us using our toes. And “ Ride a Little Horsey” on her knees. She is in her 80s now, but she still says those rhymes to her great grandchildren.
I did lots of “This Little Piggy” and “Ride a Little Horsey” with my grandchildren and nieces. Sweet memories.
I have got to print this one, it is catchy for sure. Thanks for sharing. Prayers for Granny and you guys.
I don’t remember any rhymes from my childhood. I remember playing tag or hide and seek with other children at church after the service was over and the adults would be standing around talking to one another.