“Miss Susie had a steamboat,” or variations like “Miss Lucy” or “Mary,” is a classic children’s rhyme known for its playful verses and catchy tune. This song, often enjoyed as a jump-rope rhyme or a clapping game, shares its melody with another beloved children’s song, “Miss Lucy had a baby,” which sometimes leads to them being mixed up. However, “Miss Susie had a steamboat” stands out with its humorous, slightly suggestive lyrics that cleverly play on words to create innocent, kid-friendly fun.
The Playful Innuendo of “Miss Susie Had a Steamboat” Lyrics
What makes “Miss Susie had a steamboat” so enduringly popular are its lyrics. Each verse sets up a scenario that hints at something slightly naughty or inappropriate, only to be hilariously resolved with an innocent word in the next line. This structure has allowed for countless improvisations and funny variations over the years, making it a dynamic and engaging song for children to play with.
Let’s look at some common lyrics to understand this playful structure:
Standard Version Lyrics:
Miss Susie had a steamboat,
The steamboat had a bell,
Miss Susie went to heaven,
The steamboat went to…
Hello Operator,
Please dial Number 9,
And if you disconnect me,
I’ll kick you from…
Behind the ‘frigerator,
There lay a piece of glass,
Miss Susie sat upon it,
And cut her little…
Ask me no more questions,
Tell me no more lies,
The boys are in the bathroom,
Pulling down their…
Flies are in the backyard,
The bees are in the park,
Miss Susie and her boyfriend are kissing
In the dark, dark dark
“Miss Lucy” Version 2 Lyrics:
Miss Lucy had a steam boat,
The steam boat had a bell, (Toot! Toot!)
Miss Lucy went to heaven,
And the steam boat went to
Hello operator, give me #9 and,
If you disconnect me, I will chop off your
Behind the refrigerator, there was a piece of glass,
Miss Lucy sat upon it, and broke her big fat
Ask me no more questions, tell me no more lies
The boys are in the bathroom, pulling down their
Flies are in the country, bees are in their hives
Miss Lucy and her boy friend
Are kissing in the D-A-R-K (spell out)
D-A-R-K
D-A-R-K
Dark! Dark! Dark!
“Mary” Version 3 Lyrics:
Mary had a steamboat
The steamboat had a bell
Mary went to Heaven
And the steamboat went Toot Toot
As you can see, the song uses a simple AABB rhyme scheme and repetitive structure, making it easy for children to learn and remember. The anticipation built in each verse, followed by the unexpected innocent resolution, is a key part of the song’s appeal.
From Jump Rope Rhyme to Clapping Game
Originally a jump-rope song, “Miss Susie had a steamboat” has evolved and is now more frequently enjoyed as a clapping game. The rhythm of the song lends itself perfectly to hand-clapping patterns, adding another layer of fun and coordination to the rhyme. Whether it’s chanted while skipping rope or clapped out in a group, “Miss Susie” remains a lively and interactive pastime for children.
The enduring popularity of “Miss Susie had a steamboat song” lies in its simple yet engaging structure, its playful humor, and its adaptability across different children’s games. It’s a testament to how a catchy tune and clever wordplay can create a timeless piece of children’s culture.
