100 Round Songs: of Brazilian Folklore

Ring songs, also known as circle songs, are folk songs that involve group singing and dancing, usually performed in a circle. These cultural manifestations reflect playful aspects of popular traditions and are an essential part of children's universe. With simple, repetitive, and rhythmic lyrics, they facilitate learning through memorization and lived experience.

Transmitted orally from generation to generation, these songs have no defined authorship, being considered collective and anonymous works that adapt over time. Playing ring games is more than mere entertainment: it's an exercise in motor coordination, reasoning, and memory, while also stimulating a taste for singing and social interaction.

Despite the changes brought by modernity and media influence, it's fascinating to observe how ring songs still persist in more remote communities and neighborhoods, maintaining their essence and cultural richness.

We invite you to explore the ring songs of Brazilian folklore and relive the magic of this enchanting and educational universe. How about singing and playing together?

Samba lelêSamba lelê is sickHas a broken headSamba lelê neededA slap with a slipperOh samba, oh samba, oh samba lelêOh samba, oh samba, oh samba laláOh samba, oh samba, oh samba lelêHit the hem of the skirt oh lalá
Roll the BallRoll the ball,You say you can, you can.You say you can hit the ball,But the ball you cannot hit.
The Canoe Tipped OverThe canoe tipped over,Because they let it tip.It was because of Maria,Who didn't know how to row.If I were a little fishAnd knew how to swim,I would rescue MariaFrom the bottom of the sea.
Spin TopThat girl... is not ableTo spin the top on the ground, oh!That girl... is not ableTo spin the top on the ground, oh!There it goes, there it goes, there it goesThere goes the top on the ground (repeat)The top entered the circle, oh top (repeat)Spin top, sway top! (repeat)Tap dance on the yard, oh top! (repeat)Show your figure, oh top! (repeat)Make a courtesy, oh top! (repeat)Give a little cry, oh topHand over the hat to another, ohtop! (repeat)
My Little AxeAh, ah, ah my little axeAh, ah, ah my little axeWho laid hands on it, knowing it's mine?Who laid hands on it, knowing it's mine?If you are mine I am yours tooIf you are mine I am yours tooJump little axe to the middle of the streetJump little axe to the middle of the street
Fall, Fall BalloonFall, fall balloon,Here in my hand.Don't fall, don't fall, don't fall,Fall on soap street
March SoldierMarch soldier,Paper head.If you don't march right,You'll be sent to the barracks.The barracks caught fire,The police gave the signal.Help, help, help,The national flag.
The OrangeFrom the orange I want a slice,From the lemon I want a piece.From the prettiest brunetteI want a kiss and a hug.
The Crazy TrainThe crazy train,When it leaves Pernambuco,Goes making choo-chooUntil it reaches Ceará.
PiavaGet out, get out, get out oh piavaGet out of the LagoonGet out, get out, get out oh piavaGet out of the LagoonPut your hand on your headAnd the other on your waistGive your body a wiggleGive a bite to the otherOh piava
RosemaryRosemary, golden rosemaryThat grew in the fieldWithout being sown.It was my loveWho told me soThat the flower of the field is rosemary.
My HatMy hat has three points,Three points has my hat.If it didn't have three points,It wouldn't be my hat.
Take Here Give ThereTake here give there (repeat)My mother sent me to the fieldTo fetch armfuls of pineIt's dark at nightI'm afraid of the pathMy mother sent me to the storeTo get a coin's worth of breadIt's dark at nightI'm afraid of the boogeyman
Fabulous CatI have at home a fabulous catVery intelligent and attentiveAlready speaks French and can count to twelveI have at home a fabulous catWhen he sees a mouse hidden in the kitchenNibbling the cheese that godmother broughtHe says good afternoon, with perfect accentMakes a bow and wishes bon appétitWhen he drinks milk before bedIt's with a straw so as not to spillNever talks at the table and never leaves his plateWipes his whiskers with the napkinThe neighbor's dog starts barkingWhen he comes to the street and sees him passBut he, indifferent, doesn't even look to the sideStretches his neck and turns his tail to him
Little DoveLittle dove flew, flewFell in the trap and got tangledLittle dove flew, flewFell in the trap and got tangled repeatOh give me a hugThat I'll untangleMy little dove that fell in the trap repeat
Good BoatmanGood boatman (repeat)Let me passI have little childrenTo finish raisingWill pass (repeat)But some will be leftIf it's not the mother in frontIt's the child in the back-back-back
Three Little DovesThere goes one, there go twoThree little doves flyingOne is mine, another is yoursAnother is for whoever catches itThe maid up thereIs made of cardboardWhen she goes to make the bedShe says this to the bossSeven and seven are fourteenWith seven more twenty-oneI have seven boyfriendsAnd I don't like any of them
Father FranciscoFather Francisco entered the circlePlaying his guitar dararão dão dãoHere comes the sheriffAnd Father Francisco went to jailHow he comes all wigglyLooks like a puppetAll disjointedHow he comes all wigglyLooks like a puppetAll disjointed
Picking the CloverPicking the clover, the clover from the groundPicking the clover, on Saint John's morningWho's well off should stay that wayI couldn't be betterI'm next to who I loveThere's no greater pleasurePicking the clover, don't shrink away MariaPicking the clover, until daybreakDon't throw pebbles at meI'm washing the dishesThrow me kisses insteadBut don't let my mother hearPicking the clover, Maria don't shrink awayPicking the clover, the four-leaf clover
Catrina's Little DovesWent from hand to handThey went to the new farmTo Saint John's dovecote (repeat)
Monkey in the CircleLook at the monkey in the circleLook at the monkey in the circleLook at the monkey in the circleHe wants to get outHe wants to get outHe wants to get out
Little DonkeyThe little donkey braysWants to eat grassIf he doesn't eat soonHe goes like thishee haw, hee haw,hee haw, hee haw
The Flea and the BedbugThe flea and the bedbug made an arrangementTo play a serenade under my mattressThe flea played piano, the bedbug played guitarAnd the little bedbugs played the bassMove, move around I look but don't seeDon't know if it was the flea or if it was the bedbugMove, move around I look but don't seeDon't know if it was the flea or if it was the bedbug
The Little RatsTwo funny little ratsWere looking for cheese to nibbleSuddenly Mr. Cat appearedAnd the little rats ran away
A FishA fish in the sea I saw I sawA fish swimming like this, like thisTo catch it I fell, I fellHad to swim like the fish I sawGot my shorts wet here and thereGot my hair wet there and hereBecause of the fish that I saw that I sawGot a cold achoo! achoo!
Beep, Beep, BeepBeep, beep, beep, my grandma is CarolinaHas an automobile powered by gasolineBeep, beep, beep my grandma is getting angryThe more she gets angry the more I like to honkBEEP BEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
Now Stamp Baker GirlNow stamp your foot on the groundNow stamp baker girlLove of my heartI went to the fountain to see youI went to the river to talk to youNeither at the fountain nor at the riverCould I ever find you
The Little RabbitWith red eyesWith white furI jump very highI am the little rabbitI ate a carrotWith peel and allOh it was so bigThat I got a big bellyI jump forwardI jump backwardI am the little rabbitThat can do everything|
The Bells Will RingThe bells will ringSign that a new worldIs about to beginThe Child God was bornThe world that is bigSeems tinyThere's peace on all earthMen are brothersThey say no to warOh God who listens to meMake all other daysBe Christmas
Lollipop that Taps TapsLollipop that taps tapsLollipop that has tappedWho likes me is herWho likes her is meLollipop that taps tapsLollipop that has tappedThe girl that I likedDidn't like me back.
Pretty BrunetteOh Pretty brunette,How does one court?Put the handkerchief in the pocketLeave the tip showingOh Pretty brunetteHow does one marryPut the veil on your headThen leave homeOh Pretty brunetteHow does one cookPut the pot on the fireGo chat with the neighborOh Pretty brunetteWhere do you liveI live in Beautiful BeachI say goodbye and go away
Little Chapel of MelonLittle Chapel of Melon belongs to Saint JohnIt's of Carnation it's of Rose it's of BasilSaint John is sleepingDon't wake up!Wake up, wake up, wake up, John!
Ring Around the RosyRing around the rosyLet's all join the ringLet's take a half turnTurn and half we'll makeThe ring that you gave meWas glass and it brokeThe love that you had for meWas little and it endedThat's why Lady RosaStep inside this ringSay a pretty verseSay goodbye and go away
If This Street Were MineIf this street were mineI would orderI would order it to be pavedWith little stonesWith little stones of diamondJust to seeJust to see my love pass byOn this street, on this street, there's a groveThat is called, that is called, SolitudeInside it, inside it lives an angelWho stole, who stole my heartIf I stole, if I stole your heartIt's because you stole mine tooIf I stole, if I stole your heartIt's because I love you so muchIf this street, if this street were mineI would order, I would order it to be pavedWith little stones, with little stones of diamondFor my love, for my love to pass by
I Went to TororóI went to Tororó to drink water but found noneI found a pretty brunetteThat at Tororó I leftTake advantage my peopleFor one night is nothingIf you don't sleep nowYou'll sleep at dawnOh! Lady Maria,Oh! Dear Maria, join this ringOr you'll stay alone!Alone I won't stayNor will I ever beBecause I have PedroTo be my partner!
Put HereOh put hereOh put here your little footYour little foot right next to mineAnd later don't sayThat you regretted it!
Teresa of JesusTeresa of Jesus took a fallWent to the groundThree gentlemen came to helpAll with hats in handThe first was her fatherThe second her brotherThe third was the oneTo whom Teresa gave her handTeresa got upGot up from the groundAnd smiling said to her groomI give you my heart
SegmentFrom the orange I want a segmentFrom the lime I want a pieceFrom the prettiest brunetteI want a kiss and an embrace
Living FishHow can the living fishLive outside the cold waterHow can the living fishLive outside the cold waterHow can I liveHow can I liveWithout your, without yourWithout your companyWithout your, without yourWithout your company
Little IndiansOne, two, three little IndiansFour, five, six little IndiansSeven, eight, nine little IndiansTen in a small boatThey were sailing down the riverWhen an alligator came nearAnd the little boat of the IndiansAlmost, almost tipped over
Who Taught Me to SwimWho taught me to swimWho taught me to swimIt was, it was the sailor,It was the little fish of the seaIt was, it was the sailor,It was the little fish of the sea
Little ButterflyLittle butterfly in the kitchenMaking chocolateFor the godmotherPoti, potiWooden legGlass eyeAnd woodpecker nose peck peck
My Ox DiedMy ox diedWhat will become of meSend for another one, oh BrunetteThere in PiauíMy ox diedWhat will become of the cowCachaça with lime, oh BrunetteCures bad luck
Look at the RoseLook at the yellow Rose, RoseSo lovely, so beautiful, RoseLook at the yellow Rose, RoseSo lovely, so beautiful, Rose
Iá-iáIá-iá my handkerchief, oh Iá-iáTo dry myself, oh Iá-iáThis farewell, oh Iá-iáMade me cry already, oh Iá-iá (repeat)
The Gray CatMy gray cat, that in January ran away from meWhere is my little cat,Do you know, do you know, did you see?I didn't see your little cat, but I heard its meowWho stole your little catWas the witch, was the woodpecker witch
The Little StandCome, come, come Little MissCome, come to tasteCome, come, come Little MissTo the little stand to buy
Teresa of JesusTeresa of JesusTook a fall and went to groundThree horsemen came to helpAll three with hats in handThe first was her fatherThe second her brotherThe third was the oneTo whom Teresa gave her hand
The CountessI won't give my daughtersIn the state they're inNot for gold nor for silverNor for dragon's bloodWhere is The countessFor whom you askThe King Sir sent word to sayTo send one of your daughtersI won't give my daughtersIn the state they're inNot for gold nor for silverNor for dragon's bloodThis one stinks, this one smellsAnd this one eats bread from the fairIt's this one exactly that I wantTo be my companionStay there good girlThere to sew and embroiderFor from heaven shall fallA needle and a thimble
Fall, Fall BalloonFall, fall balloon (REPEAT)Here in my handDon't fall noDon't fall noFall on soap street
LollipopLollipop that taps tapsLollipop that has tappedWho likes me is herWho likes her is me
My Lime, My Lime TreeMy lime, my lime treeMy jacaranda treeOne time tindo leleeAnother time tindo lala (REPEAT)My life is very sadIf the brunette doesn't comeLittle brunette, my enchantmentBeauty made woman
March SoldierMarch soldierPaper headIf you don't march rightYou'll be locked in the barracks
My Ox DiedMy ox diedWhat will become of me?Send for another one, brunette,There in PiauíMy ox diedWhat will become of the cow?Cachaça with lime, brunette,Cures bad luck
The Little ShepherdThere was a little shepherdWho went out shepherdingLeft his house andStarted to sing:Do, re, mi, fa, fa, faDo, re, do, re, re, re, reDo, sol, fa, mi, mi, miDo, re, mi, fa, fa, faArriving at the palaceThe queen spoke to himTelling the little shepherdThat his song pleased her
Tango, Tango, Tango BrunetteTango, tango, tango brunetteIs of burdockLet's throw the... in the trash canIf I were a little fish and knew how to swimI would take the... from the bottom of the sea
Girl Who's In The RingThe girl who's in the ringIs a stretched-out catHas an alligator mouthAnd a patched skirtThere comes mister jucaçaWith the crooked leg-egDancing waltz-tzWith Maricota-ta
I Went to TororóI went to TororóTo drink water found noneFound beautiful girlsThat at Tororó I leftTake advantage my peopleFor one night is nothingIf you don't sleep nowYou'll sleep at dawnOh dolim doleeOh dolim dolaaI'll play violaFor us to danceClimbed the hill(Slipped) fell sittingBut didn't cryDaddy told meOn ThursdayI got marriedOn FridayI got separated
Thrush Is In The CageThrush is in the cage, made a little holeFlew, flew, flew, flewAnd the girl who liked the little bird so muchCried, cried, cried, criedThrush fled from the yardWent to sing in the avocado treeAnd the girl keeps callingCome here thrush, come hereAnd the girl says sobbingThrush I am waiting for youThrush answered from thereDon't cry that I'll returnThrush answers thereDon't cry that I'll return
Oh tra-la-laOh tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la oh (REPEAT)Oh tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la (REPEAT)Oh tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la ohThe flowers don't grow anymoreEven the rosemary witheredThe toad moved awayThe tetra fish diedBecause the stream dried ohI will missThe time I spentNext to my beloved
Little Chapel of MelonLittle chapel of melon belongs to Saint JohnIt's made of carnation and roseIt's made of sweet basilSaint John is in the circleDon't wake up, noWake up, wake up, wake up John.
Little IndiansOne, two, three little IndiansFour, five, six little IndiansSeven, eight, nine little IndiansTen in the little boatThey were sailing downstreamWhen the alligator came nearThe little Indians paddled very fastThe boat almost tipped over
The Little ChickMy little yellow chickFell here in my hand, in my handWhen the little one arrivesWith its little foot it scratches the groundIt flaps its wingsIt goes peep, peepBut is very afraid of the hawk
Lady Dona CândidaLady Dona CândidaCovered in gold and silverUncover your faceFor we want to see your faceWhat angels are theseThat go marchingIt's night and dayOur Father, Hail MaryWe are daughters of the kingWe are granddaughters of the queenYour king sent wordTo choose a little stone
A SnailA snail was quite angryBecause of the rain it couldn't go playWith the garden flowersAnd hear the children singing like this:Little snail, my pretty snailIt's so warm put your little sticks in the sunLittle snail, my pretty snailIt's so warm put your little sticks in the sunSnail up the wall,Snail down the wallSnail give me a little kissSnail give me a hug
The BoaThe boa told me it's hungryBeen hungry for a year ain't eaten nothingGoes walking and opening its mooouuuthThat's why I don't get close to it
Dairy CowI have a dairy cow,Not just any cow, gives milk and butterWhat a gentle cow,Ding-dong, ding-dongI bought her a bell, and my cow liked itShe walks through the meadow, swats flies with her tailDing-dong, ding-dong, DING-DONG!!!
The FlyLook at the fly, hear the noiseThe buzz it makes zz - zz - zzTo the left, to the rightForward and back zz - zz - zzLook at the fly, hear the noiseThe buzz it makes zz - zz - zzUp and downForward and back zz - zz - zz
The ShepherdessOnce there was a shepherdess, larau-larau-laritoWith her cattle's milk, she made a little cheeseBut the cat was watching, larau-larau-laritoBut the cat was watching, eyeing the little cheeseAnd here he put his paw, larau-larau-laritoAnd here he put his paw and there his little noseThe shepherdess got angry, larau-larau-laritoThe shepherdess got angry, ordered to kill the little catShe went to confess, larau-larau-laritoShe went to confess to Father of MachicoFather I confess, larau-larau-laritoFather I confess, that I killed my little catThe penance I give you, larau-larau-laritoThe penance I give you, is to give a little kiss thereAnd here ends the story, larau-larau-laritoAnd here ends the story of the shepherdess and the little cat
New MillNew mill, new millNew mill sprouts the wheelTo spinI took one jumpTook two jumps, took three jumpsThis time I jumped the wallAlmost died from jumpingGrass of xique-xique plantSticky, stickyI passed by the chapelSaw two priests at the altar
The MilkmaidI am a milkmaid, I am a milkmaid selling milkIn the city, in the city of LisbonEveryone likes, everyone likes the milkmaidThe milkmaid, the milkmaid is a good thing
Little FootOh put here, oh put here your little footRight here, right here next to mineWhen taking, when taking your little foot awayA hug, a hug I'll give you
ManuelManuel, sir Manuel, ManuelOur lord doesn't tell meIf Manuel were a priestHe would be my confessor, ManuelWhat a beautiful dance, ManuelHow beautiful they areI love you, ManuelIn my heart, Manuel
Oh MariaYou like me, oh MariaI like you too, oh MariaI'll ask your father, oh MariaTo marry you, oh MariaIf he says yes, oh MariaI'll marry you, oh MariaIf he says no, oh MariaI'll die of passion, oh MariaClap, clap, clap oh MariaFoot, foot, foot oh MariaSpin, spin, spin oh MariaChoose whoever you want, oh Maria
Where is MargaridaWhere is Margarida? Olé, olé, oláWhere is Margarida? Olé, your knightsShe is in her castle, olé, olé, oláShe is in her castle, olé your knightsThe castle is very high, olé, olé, oláThe castle is very high, olé your knightsI'm taking out a stone, olé, olé, oláI'm taking out a stone olé your knightsOne stone won't be missed, olé, olé, oláOne stone won't be missed olé your knights
The Boat Tipped OverThe boat tipped over, stopped tipping overIt was because of so-and-soWho didn't know how to navigateIf I were a little fishAnd knew how to swimI would take so-and-soFrom the bottom of the sea
Little Widow of the Firewood ForestLittle widow of the firewood forest wants to marryBut can't find with whomIt's not with youIt's not with anyoneIt's with someone I care for more
Under the Orange GroveUnder the orange groveI found a beautiful girlPicking white flowersWhite flowers to give meWhite flowers mean weddingMaria wants to marryOh Maria stop thisStop this look thereHow the white carnation shinesNext to the red carnationHow Maria shinesNext to her sweetheartKnock, that knocks, that has knockedMaria has gone awayGoodbye, goodbye
The Carambola DanceI too am a passengerComing here to passIf daddy, mommy find outCarambola turns nowMaria is a passengerComes here to passIf daddy, mommy find outCarambola will turn now
Painted CaterpillarPainted caterpillarWho was it that paintedIt was an old ladyOf evil that passedIn the time of the eraMade dustPull caterpillarOn your ear
I Threw a Stick at the CatI threw a stick at the cat-at-atBut the cat-at-atDidn't die-ie-ieMiss Chica-ca-caWas amazed-zed-zed (was amazed-zed-zed)At the meow, the meowThat the cat gave, meow
I Was in the KitchenI was in the kitchen making a sponge cakeAnd the neighbor's rooster went cock-a-doodle-dooI went to wash up, I went to get dressedI went to the window to learn how to flirtA young man passed by in blue pantsHat tilted to the side, oh what a fine suitorI asked him in, asked him to sitHe spat on the floor, oh what a pigI told papa, and papa didn't careI told mama and the slipper got to work
Little Lamb, Big LambLittle lamb, big lamb, big lamb, big lambLook at the sky, look at the groundThe ground, the groundOur lord the king commandsLord, lordEveryone to kneel
The Little CartThe little cart caughtThree dogs at onceTa ra ra what people are theseTa ra ra what evil people
Ring Around, Ring AroundRing around, ring aroundLet's all join the ringLet's take a half turnTurn and half let's takeThe ring that you gave meWas glass and it brokeThe love that you had for meWas little and it endedSo, Miss MariaStep inside this ringSay a pretty verseSay goodbye and go away
The Carnation Fought With the RoseThe carnation fought with the roseBeneath a balconyThe carnation came out woundedThe rose in piecesThe carnation fell illThe rose went to visitThe carnation faintedAnd the rose began to cry
The Spinning Top DanceThe spinning top danceIs a singular danceThat puts knee to groundAnd makes love cryMaria shakes her skirtMaria raises her armsMaria have pity on meMaria give me a hug
Living FishHow can the living fishLive outside the cold waterHow can the living fishLive outside the cold waterHow can I liveHow can I liveWithout your, without yourWithout your companyWithout your, without yourWithout your companyThe shepherds of this villageAlready mock meThe shepherds of this villageAlready mock meFor seeing me crying like thisFor seeing me crying like thisWithout your, without yourWithout your companyWithout your, without yourWithout your company
The Neighbor's HenThe neighbor's henLays little yellow eggsLays one, lays two, lays three,Lays four, lays five, lays six,Lays seven, lays eight, lays nine,Lays ten!
8. My Lemon, My Lemon TreeMy lemon, my lemon treeMy jacaranda treeOne time, tindolelêAnother time, tindolalá
The Cockroach Says She HasThe cockroach says she has seven tulle skirtsIt's a lie of the cockroach, she has only oneAh ra ra, ya ro ro, she has only one!The cockroach says she has velvet shoesIt's a lie of the cockroach, her foot is hairyAh ra ra, yu ru ru, her foot is hairy!The cockroach says she has an ivory bedIt's a lie of the cockroach, hers is made of hayAh ra ra, rim rim rim, hers is made of hayThe cockroach says she has a graduation ringIt's a lie of the cockroach, she has a hard shellAh ra ra, yu ru ru, she has a hard shellThe cockroach says she's going to travel by planeIt's a lie of the cockroach, she's going by truckAh ra ra, yu ru ru, she's going by truck
RosemaryRosemary, golden rosemaryThat grew in the fieldWithout being sownRosemary, golden rosemaryThat grew in the fieldWithout being sownIt was my loveWho told me soThat the field flower is rosemaryIt was my loveWho told me soThat the field flower is rosemary
Fall, Fall BalloonFall fall balloon, fall fall balloonOn soap streetDon't fall no, don't fall no, don't fall noFall here in my hand!Fall fall balloon, fall fall balloonHere in my handI won't go there, won't go there, won't go thereI'm afraid of getting spanked!
Lollipop that Beats BeatsLollipop that beats beatsLollipop that has beatenShe's the one who likes meI'm the one who likes herLollipop that beats beatsLollipop that has beatenThe girl that I likedDidn't like me as I did
White DoveWhite dove what are you doing?Washing clothes for the weddingI'll go wash up, I'll go dry offI'll go to the window to learn to flirtA young man passed by in white suit,Hat tilted to the side, my boyfriendI asked him in, asked him to sitHe spat on the floor, clean that up you pig
I Went to SpainI went to SpainTo fetch my hatBlue and whiteThe color of that skyLook palm, palm, palmLook foot, foot, footLook at the ring, ring, ringCrab fish isCrab is not a fishCrab fish isCrab is only fishDeep in the tideCreole sambaThat came from BahiaTake the childAnd throw in the basinThe basin is goldScoured with soapAfter scouredDried with a robeThe robe is silkLittle shirt of tulleWhoever doesn't get their pairEnds up being grandma