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Arrangement: Ian J. Watts / Mike Wilbury · Singalongasong Band / ClassicRocks
Lyrics
Peter Rabbit's got a fly upon his nose,
Peter Rabbit's got a fly upon his nose,
Peter Rabbit's got a fly upon his nose,
So he flipped it and he flapped it and the fly flew away.
Floppy ears and curly whiskers,
Floppy ears and curly whiskers,
Floppy ears and curly whiskers,
So he flipped it and he flapped it and the fly flew away.
Traditional lyrics — public domain. Arrangement © Singalongasong Band / ClassicRocks.
History & Background
History & Origin
This cheerful action song about a rabbit and a fly is sung to one of the best-known tunes in the English-speaking world: the melody of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", itself derived from "John Brown's Body". The tune has been repurposed countless times for children's songs, hymns, protest songs, and marching music, making it one of the most versatile melodies ever to enter the folk tradition.
The lyrics are simple and physical: a fly lands on Peter Rabbit's nose, and he flips and flaps it away. The triple repetition of each line gives children time to join in, and the "flip and flap" action provides the movement that makes the song so effective in nursery settings.
The Peter Rabbit of this song is quite distinct from Beatrix Potter's famous creation — the rhyme is a traditional folk action song rather than anything connected to the Lake District. It shares only the name and the floppy ears.
Our arrangement gives the song the energetic treatment its tune deserves.
