The Drumbeat Poem

Annabelle was Peter’s friend,
Peter’s friend was Tom:
Tom was very steady,
Tom was very strong.

Tom began to walk,
At a steady beat:
Peter hurried after him,
Tripping at Tom’s feet.

Tom-Tom-Tom-Tom-Tom…………..
Peter-Peter-Peter-Peter-Peter……….

Peter quite liked Annabelle,
But Annabelle was fast:
Annabelle was hurrying,
Afraid of being last.

Peter-Peter-Peter-Peter-Peter…………
Annabelle-Annabelle-Annabelle-Annabelle-Annabelle………..

Annabelle’s big sister
Also came along:
Annabella hoped that she
Could also join this song.

Annabelle-Annabelle-Annabelle-Annabelle-Annabelle……….
Annabella-Annabella-Annabella-Annabella-Annabella……..

Tom and Annabella
Tried to keep together:
Annabella sped along,
Going hell for leather.

Tom-Tom-Tom-Tom-Tom……..
Annabella-Annabella-Annabella-Annabella-Annabella…….

Peter thought that Annabella
Ought to be his friend,
He ran along beside her
To achieve that end.

Peter-Peter-Peter-Peter-Peter………
Annabella-Annabella-Annabella-Annabella-Annabella………

Now that they are travelling
In a little group -
See if you can keep them close
In an endless loop.

Tom-Tom-Tom-Tom-Tom……….
Peter-Peter-Peter-Peter-Peter……….
Annabelle-Annabelle-Annabelle-Annabelle-Annabelle….
Annabella-Annabella-Annabella-Annabella-Annabella………

2002

This poem is to teach basic rythm.

Tom is a one-syllable word, Peter is a two-syllable word, Annabelle is a three-syllable word, Annabella is a four-syllable word.

Chant the names together at the end of every verse. The most difficult rhythms usually involve the three-syllable word Annabella.

At the very end of the poem you really need four people, or if you’ve got a class, four groups of people.

Clapping in time with the syllables makes it easier. :-)

You can find a website dedicated to teaching children about rhythm at http://www.brianjharris.com/

  1. 1

    Comment by kins

    A great poem!

    Posted on: May 8th, 2009 at 4:11 pm

  2. 2

    Comment by Anonymous

    This is a cute poem! I like that you can chant to it.

    Posted on: May 18th, 2009 at 11:18 pm

  3. 3

    Comment by annonymous

    I love this poem- however- I just finished printing it out and saw “Going Hell for Leather?” Not sure what that meant, glad I saw it and not read that aloud to the second grade class- probably a typo?

    Posted on: September 22nd, 2011 at 1:33 pm

  4. 4

    Comment by admin

    hell-for-leath·er (h l f r-l r). adv. & adj. Informal. At breakneck speed: “The journey back he made along the coast road, traveling hell-for-leather”

    Posted on: September 26th, 2011 at 3:09 pm

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