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Youth Activity Archive

Sing – Ants Go Marching

Sing – Ants Go Marching

A high-energy rhythmic song that is fun to move to.

Recordings

Lyrics

<March in place>
The ants go marching one by one.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching one by one.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching one by one,
<Give a thumbs up and hold it out dramatically>
The little one stops to suck his thumb.
<March while slowly bending down to the ground>
And they all go marching down,
To the ground,
To get out of the rain.
<Pop back upright in three bursts>
Boom, boom, boom.

<March in place>
The ants go marching two by two.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching two by two.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching two by two,
<Crouch down to tie shoe>
The little one stops to tie his shoe.
<March while slowly bending down to the ground>
And they all go marching down,
To the ground,
To get out of the rain.
<Pop back upright in three bursts>
Boom, boom, boom.

<March in place>
The ants go marching three by three.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching three by three.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching three by three,
<Pretend to climb a tree>
The little one stops to climb a tree.
<March while slowly bending down to the ground>
And they all go marching down,
To the ground,
To get out of the rain.
<Pop back upright in three bursts>
Boom, boom, boom.

<March in place>
The ants go marching four by four.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching four by four.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching four by four,
<Pretend to shut the door>
The little one stops to shut the door.
<March while slowly bending down to the ground>
And they all go marching down,
To the ground,
To get out of the rain.
<Pop back upright in three bursts>
Boom, boom, boom.

<March in place>
The ants go marching five by five.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching five by five.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching five by five,
<Pretend to jump into a pond>
The little one stops to take a dive.
<March while slowly bending down to the ground>
And they all go marching down,
To the ground,
To get out of the rain.
<Pop back upright in three bursts>
Boom, boom, boom.

<March in place>
The ants go marching six by six.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching six by six.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching six by six,
<Pretend to pick up sticks off the ground>
The little one stops to pick up sticks.
<March while slowly bending down to the ground>
And they all go marching down,
To the ground,
To get out of the rain.
<Pop back upright in three bursts>
Boom, boom, boom.

<March in place>
The ants go marching seven by seven.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching seven by seven.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching seven by seven,
<Pretend to give a prayer>
The little one stops to pray to heaven.
<March while slowly bending down to the ground>
And they all go marching down,
To the ground,
To get out of the rain.
<Pop back upright in three bursts>
Boom, boom, boom.

<March in place>
The ants go marching eight by eight.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching eight by eight.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching eight by eight,
<Pretend to roller skate>
The little one stops to roller-skate.
<March while slowly bending down to the ground>
And they all go marching down,
To the ground,
To get out of the rain.
<Pop back upright in three bursts>
Boom, boom, boom.

<March in place>
The ants go marching nine by nine.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching nine by nine.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching nine by nine,
<Pretend to check a watch>
The little one stops to check the time.
<March while slowly bending down to the ground>
And they all go marching down,
To the ground,
To get out of the rain.
<Pop back upright in three bursts>
Boom, boom, boom.

<March in place>
The ants go marching ten by ten.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching ten by ten.
<Punch the air for each Hurrah!>
Hurrah! Hurrah!
<March in place>
The ants go marching ten by ten,
<Hold hand out in a signal to stop>
The little one stops to shout, “The End!”

(Optional to finish the verse)
<March while slowly bending down to the ground>
And they all go marching down,
To the ground,
To get out of the rain.
<Pop back upright in three bursts>
Boom, boom, boom.

History

The Ants Go Marching is a traditional American children’s song. The tune was originally composed by Patrick S. Gilmore in 1863 (using the pseudonym Louis Lambert) for the Civil War-era song When Johnny Comes Marching Home.

The song in its modern form is a popular nursery rhyme and educational tool. It is widely used to teach children counting, rhythm, and coordination through its repetitive structure.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
(No official Groups)

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Published on April 28, 2026. Author:

Tia Kennard

Click Here -> To see information References:

Disclaimer: The information published on Youth Activity Archive and The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.

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