The popular rhyme What’s Your Name? Mary Jane goes back to England over 100 years ago.
With the beginning of the new school year, I’ve learnt a new version from a young American schoolgirl.
The funny thing about this one is that it refers to Michael Jackson, but she has no idea who he is! I wonder how many generations of elementary kids this version has gone through. How long ago has it been since Michael Jackson’s been “In”? I’d imagine about 15-20 years.
Here’s the version I just heard, with an mp3 recording…
MP3 What’s Your Name? Mary Jane
What’s Your Name? Mary Jane
What’s Your Name?
Mary Jane
Where do you live?
Down the drain
What’s your number?
Cucumber
What do you eat?
Pigs feet
What do you drink?
Pink ink
What do you wear?
Michael Jackson’s underwear!
The last line gets a big giggle from the kids. Not because it’s Michael Jackson – but because it’s underwear! I guess any mention of that subject with elementary school children will get a laugh!
– Mama Lisa
This article was posted on Sunday, September 30th, 2007 at 8:07 pm and is filed under American Nursery Rhymes, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, England, English, English Nursery Rhymes, Languages, MP3 Recordings, Nursery Rhymes, Recordings of Nursery Rhymes, United Kingdom, USA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
2 Responses to “A Modern American Take on “What’s Your Name? Mary Jane””
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October 1st, 2007 at 5:59 pm
i am a childminder and care for 2 children whose grandmother has just married a turk can you let me have any suggestions for activities about turky or any traditions i should be aware of. also do you have any idea how to say/spell merry christmas in turkish i hope you can help an excellent web site
April 23rd, 2010 at 7:48 am
Hello I have just posted anything comparable relating to A Modern American Take on “What’s Your Name? Mary Jane” | Mama Lisa’s World Blog on my blog this morning. How modest is the internet :)