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
Comment by kins
A great poem!
Posted on: May 8th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
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
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
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