Yankee Doodle

An English song that became a popular square dance in America.
Sources:  Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p.409
Additional Lyrics from Pioneer Girl, Fact and Fiction of Laura Ingalls Wilder, A to Z

Ti Ya Ya

This circle folk dance from the Ukraine is in 3/4 and requires some balance as dancers sway side to side, forward, and back while holding hands basket-weave style behind their backs.
Source: Ed. by Davis, Andy and Amidon, Peter and Mary Alice.  Down in the Valley pp. 40-41

Sweet Potatoes

This Creole folk song from the Louisiana Bayou makes for a beautiful partner song when paired with Mango Walk.
Sources: Seeger, Pete.  Fireside Book of Fun and Game Songs.
Silver-Burdett Music Text

Paw Paw Patch, The

I enjoy turning this into an October movement improvisation song for young children by replacing "Paw Paw" with "Pumpkin." It's also a great Appalachian double line dance where students can learn to cast off, or, as I like to call it, "peel the banana."
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 102

Love Somebody

I use this song in February as a beat-passing game with a heart-shaped bean bag.  It's great for the practice of four sounds to a beat ("ticka ticka").
Source: Ed. by Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 350

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Most children know this song from South Africa, performed by musicians such as the Weavers, The Tokens, and the Kingston Trio, from Disney's The Lion King and perform the melody and rhythms easily.  It can be sung simply, or, with the addition of xylophones, recorder, percussion instruments, and dancers can become a show-stopping performance event.
Source: Parker, Lisa Ann.  1993 Evergreen Orff Chapter Workshop Notes
Additional information is available on Wikipedia.

Hot Peas and Barley-O

This is a rousing circle dance in 6/8.  I especially like the simulated kilt flip at the end!
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Hot Peas and Barley-O: Children's Songs and Games from Scotland

Grizzly Bear

This is a good song for teaching forte and piano.
Source: Macmillan Teaching Series

Dusty Bluebells

This English game is played with one child going in and out of a circle of players holding their hands up to form arches.
Source: SPU Summer Kodaly Institute Level II Materials Packet

Buon Giorno

This is a three-part Italian round that is a good morning song.  
Source: Zanzig, Augustus.  101 Rounds for Singing, published by World Around Songs, Inc. p.7

Bobby Bingo

I played this English game with my second graders.  Though we learned it in a large circle, once it was mastered, the students enjoyed moving much faster when skipping in circles of five or six.
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Over the Garden Wall: Children's Songs and Games From England p. 32

 

America

America, Page 2

America, Page 1

Though this tune originated in England, it is a classic and beloved song about America.  It can be used to prepare and present the dotted quarter paired with eighth note rhythm.

Source:

• Library of Congress, History of the Song America