American Folk Song · Longways Set · Grades K–3
Paw Paw Patch lyrics, the longways set folk dance for grades K–3, and a complete teaching guide. Tiri-tiri, ri-tim, tiri-ti, major scale, AAB form, simple harmony — and a pumpkin patch variation perfect for Halloween. One of the most rhythmically rich American folk songs in the elementary library.
Full lyrics · all three verses
Each verse has a different rhythm concept. The three verses together cover tiri-tiri, ri-tim, and tiri-ti — making this one of the most rhythmically rich songs in the K–3 repertoire.
Substitute "pumpkin patch" for "paw paw patch" in the fall or for Halloween. The syllable count is identical and it fits perfectly. A great way to keep a familiar song feeling fresh and seasonal.
The folk dance
Dance just the first two verses — one child skipping alone (Verse 1), then followed by the other group (Verse 2). After their solo skip, the first child simply walks to the end of their line. Skip Verse 3 entirely for the youngest students. You can also sing "pumpkin patch" instead of "paw paw patch" in the fall.
Stand in a longways set — one line of girls, one line of boys (or use pinnies to differentiate). Verse 1: the head girl turns and skips around the entire set, ending back in her spot. Verse 2: she takes off again; the line of boys follows her. Verse 3 ("Pickin' up paw paws"): peel the banana — boy and girl of the head couple each peel off in opposite directions and skip to the bottom of the set, making an arch as both lines go under and back up to the top, resulting in a new head couple. Each girl gets a turn; then switch lines so boys go.
About this song
Paw Paw Patch is unusual in the K–3 repertoire because each of its three verses features a distinct rhythm concept. Verse 1 is the primary vehicle for teaching tiri-tiri (four sixteenth notes) — the only other rhythms are ta and ti-ti, making the tiri-tiri unmissable. Verse 2 brings in ri-tim, clearly illustrated by "come on." Verse 3 introduces tiri-ti, cleanly illustrated by "pickin' up."
Three rhythm concepts, one song, three verses. That's an unusual amount of rhythmic content for a song that also has a beautiful folk dance, a full major scale, clear 2/4 meter, and a simple harmony arrangement.
"Paw Paw Patch is excellent for teaching sixteenth notes. It also gives you a chance to explain what a paw paw is — the largest edible fruit native to America."
— Deborah Skydell Pasternack, The Singing ClassroomMajor scale: This song uses every note of the major scale — making it one of the few K–3 songs where you can identify all seven scale degrees. The melody moves through the scale in ways that make individual pitches easy to isolate.
Simple harmony: The harmony part consists simply of do and sol — the tonic and the fifth. As indicated in the score and animation, this is an accessible entry point into two-part singing for 2nd and 3rd graders.
AABAB form: Each verse fits an AAA,B form for rhythm and text (three identical lines followed by the "way down yonder" line), and an ABAC form for melody. These nested forms are worth pointing out to older students.
Common questions
Verse 1: "Where oh where is pretty little Sarah? / Where oh where is pretty little Sarah? / Where oh where is pretty little Sarah? / Way down yonder in the paw paw patch." Verse 2: "Come on boys, let's go find her..." (same structure). Verse 3: "Pickin' up paw paws, put 'em in your pocket..." (same structure). Substitute the name of the child in the center for "Sarah." For gender-neutral language, sing "Where oh where is my friend Sarah." For Halloween, substitute "pumpkin patch" for "paw paw patch."
The paw paw is the largest edible fruit native to America — similar to a mango in flavor and texture, with a custardy interior and tropical taste. Paw paws grow wild throughout much of the eastern United States and are beginning to appear at some farmers' markets as small orchards start cultivating them. Showing students images of paw paws before singing gives the song genuine context. Some students — especially those in urban areas — have never heard of or seen one.
Tiri-tiri (four sixteenth notes) is the key rhythmic concept in Verse 1. The word "pretty little" and similar phrases in the first verse illustrate the pattern clearly — and the only other rhythms in the verse are ta (quarter note) and ti-ti (two eighth notes), which students likely already know. With only familiar rhythms surrounding it, tiri-tiri stands out and is easy to isolate. Verses 2 and 3 introduce ri-tim ("come on") and tiri-ti ("pickin' up") respectively, making each verse a distinct rhythm lesson.
Stand in two lines facing each other. Verse 1: the head child in Line 1 skips around the entire set and returns to their spot. Verse 2: they take off again, this time followed by Line 2. Verse 3 ("Pickin' up paw paws"): peel the banana — the head couple each peels off in opposite directions, skips to the bottom, makes an arch, and both lines go under the arch and back up to the top — resulting in a new head couple. Each child in Line 1 takes a turn, then the lines switch. For K–1, simplify by dancing only Verses 1 and 2.
More folk dances & American songs
Another longways set folk dance — sashay, swing arms, peel the banana, barred instrument improvisation.
See teaching guide →The Halloween guessing game with a real mini pumpkin. Natural minor, ti, timri. Perfect fall companion to Paw Paw Patch.
See teaching guide →Another longways set for the same age range. A natural pairing with Paw Paw Patch in the same unit.
See teaching guide →The real problem
Every teacher knows this feeling. You find a song, try it on Monday, and something goes sideways — the kids don't engage, you're not sure how to introduce it, the lesson loses momentum. It's not that the song was wrong. You just didn't have a clear picture of how it actually goes.
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