How To Do the Dance “Little Johnny Brown”
Locomotor/Non-Locomotor Movements
Materials: Large squares of colorful cloth (one for each of the “Johnnys”)
Getting started: Begin with four participants in a circle, each holding up a “blanket.” These four “Johnnys” begin the dance. They will choose partners from the larger group of friends surrounding them. You can use more than four dancers in the “Johnny” circle. Just be sure to leave enough people in the surrounding circle to provide a partner for each “Johnny.”
Lyrics (and Movements)
Little Johnny Brown (Players pick up the squares.)
Lay your blanket down (Players lay squares down.)
Little Johnny Brown (Players pick up the squares.)
Lay your blanket down (Players lay squares down.)
Now y’fold one corner, Johnny Brown (Each player folds one corner of his/her cloth into the center of the fabric.)
Now y’fold another corner, Johnny Brown (Each player folds next corner.)
Now y’fold another corner, Johnny Brown (Each player folds next corner.)
Now y’fold another corner, Johnny Brown (Each player folds next corner.)
Now y’go and pick your partner, Johnny Brown (Players take their “blankets” and give them to chosen partners in the dance.)
Now y’go and pick your partner, Johnny Brown
Now y’go and pick your partner, Johnny Brown (Partners follow dancers back to circle with cloth—there are now eight dancers total.)
Now y’go and pick your partner, Johnny Brown
Now y’lope like a buzzard, Johnny Brown (All eight dance around in a circle, flapping their arms like buzzards and loping toward imaginary prey.)
Now y’lope like a buzzard, Johnny Brown
Now y’lope like a buzzard, Johnny Brown
Now y’lope like a buzzard, Johnny Brown
Now y’show off your motion, Johnny Brown (Each “Johnny” creates a move his or her partner must imitate.)
Now y’show off your motion, Johnny Brown
Now y’show off your motion, Johnny Brown
Now y’show off your motion, Johnny Brown (Each “Johnny” hands the blanket to his/her partner.)
Now y’go join the circle, Johnny Brown (Original “Johnnys” return to the large circle. Their partners are now the “Johnnys,” starting over again from the beginning of the song. They will choose new partners, etc., and the dance continues.)
Now y’go join the circle, Johnny Brown
Now y’go join the circle, Johnny Brown
Now y’go join the circle, Johnny Brown