A Sailor Went To Sea Sea Sea is a classic song used to play different clapping games. You must remember the poem from your days in the playground, laughing gleefully and clapping along to its beats. Not just meant for fun, the game is a fantastic way of increasing coordination and cooperation between team members.
But did you know that your favorite song didn't actually have the same lyrics as it does now? It started as My Father Went To Sea and went through several changes, converting into different lyrical combinations that exist today.
Read on to learn more about the poem, its origins, and its variations!
Written lyrics
The lyrics for the latest version of A Sailor Went To Sea go like this:
A sailor went to sea, sea, sea,
To see what he could see, see, see.
But all that he could see, see, see,
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea.
Printable lyrics
Download the printable version for your child's room or to reminisce about the good old days here.
Photo lyrics
Video links
Enjoy the song in all its glory with amazing visuals and catchy tunes. Watch the video below:
Origins and history
"A Sailor Went to Sea Sea Sea" tells the story of a sailor who went to explore the sea. The poem serves as a tongue twister - try to say it fast! This 'core repetoire' clapping game was initially called 'My Father Went to Sea' but was eventually changed to 'A Sailor Went to Sea.'
In other variations of the song, the first line is often accompanied by 'a sailor went to chop, chop, chop, chop.' It is then followed by 'knee, knee, knee, knee' before ending with 'sea, chop, knee.'
Children frequently offer their own substitutions according to their wishes. You'll notice different lyrical combinations like using 'pick, pick, pick' while pretending to pick their nose.
The poem can also be tweaked to teach children about different sea animals. They just need to replace the creature with their favorite sea animal!
A seahorse!
A sailor went to sea sea sea
to see what he could see see see.
But all that he could see see see
was a seahorse swimming in the sea sea sea.
A jellyfish!
A sailor went to sea sea sea
to see what he could see see see.
But all that he could see see see
was a jellyfish swimming in the sea sea sea.
A 1972 recording of the poem exists, which Iona Opie shot in Birmingham.
FAQ
The words to "a sailor went to sea sea sea" are:
A sailor went to sea, sea, sea,
To see what he could see, see, see.
But all that he could see, see, see,
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea.
There are two ways to play the "A Sailor Went to Sea Sea Sea" game. One way is by speaking the verses fast and increasing speed with each round. Continue until all the words slur together!
Another way is by sitting around in a circle and miming each word. For "sea," move the hands in a wavy motion, and for "see," make a circle with your thumb and forefinger. The words "see" and "sea" can even be replaced by "chop," "knee," "bed," or "pick," and it can be gestured accordingly.
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