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Going on a Lion Hunt

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Version 1 [Or try Version 2 instead]

(Start this chant with alternate hand clapping and slapping them on our thighs. Do this through the refrain.)

Going on a lion hunt,
Gonna catch a big one.
I'm not scared.
Look at all the flowers.
Nice day.

Oh, Oh.
Tall tree ahead.
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Might as well go round it.

Going on a lion hunt,
Gonna catch a big one.
I'm not scared.
Look at all the flowers.
Nice day.

Oh, Oh.
Pond ahead.
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Better swim around it.

Going on a lion hunt,
Gonna catch a big one.
I'm not scared.
Look at all the flowers.
Nice day.

Oh, Oh.
Tall grass ahead.
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Best we crawl through it.

Going on a lion hunt,
Gonna catch a big one.
I'm not scared.
Look at all the flowers.
Nice day.

Oh, Oh.
Cave ahead.
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Guess we have to into it.

It's dark in here.
I see two shining lights.
I feel something furry.
I feel a c-c-c-cold nose.
I feel s-s-s-sharp teeth.
It's a lion!!!

Run out of the cave!
Crawl through the grass!
Swim across the pond!
Run around the tree!
Run into the house!
Close the door!
Run up the front stairs!
Crawl under mom's bed!

Let's catch butterflies next time.

Version 2

(Audience echos each line and sets up clap/lap-slapping rhythm)

Goin' on a lion hunt.
Goin to catch a big one.
I'm not afraid.
Look, what's up ahead?

Mud!
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Gotta go through it. [Make sloshing sounds and move hands as if slogging]

Goin' on a lion hunt.
Goin to catch a big one.
I'm not afraid.
Look, what's up ahead?

Sticks!
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Gotta go through it. [Snap fingers]

Goin' on a lion hunt.
Goin to catch a big one.
I'm not afraid.
Look, what's up ahead?

Trees!
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Gotta go through it. [Make gestures climbing up and down.]

Goin' on a lion hunt.
Goin to catch a big one.
I'm not afraid.
Look, what's up ahead?

Gate!
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Gotta go through it. [Make gate-opening gestures.]

Goin' on a lion hunt.
Goin to catch a big one.
I'm not afraid.
Look, what's up ahead?

River!
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Gotta go through it. [make swimming gestures]

Goin' on a lion hunt.
Goin to catch a big one.
I'm not afraid.
Look, what's up ahead?

Grass!
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Gotta go through it. Grass [move hands together and apart]

Goin' on a lion hunt.
Goin to catch a big one.
I'm not afraid.
Look, what's up ahead?

Cave!
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Gotta go through it. [act like you are feeling your way in a dark cave]

Feel yourself along the wall.
Oh, oh What's this?
Something funny.
With a long soft thing on it's end!
With two sharp things!
Two big gleaming sharp things!
A LION!!!
Run for your life!

Run out of the cave!
Crawl through the grass!
Swim across the river!
Run through the gate!
Run around the trees!
Jump over the sticks!
Slosh through the mud!
Run into the house!
Close the door!
Run up the front stairs!
Crawl under mom's bed!

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When you encounter this image link to a non-NIEHS site

or the words "Non-NIEHS Link", it means that by following that link you will be leaving the NIEHS website. NIEHS is NOT responsible for non-NIEHS websites. Sites maintained by outside organizations may be changed without notice to NIEHS. Therefore, unless the link is to another U.S. government sponsored webpage, endorsement by NIEHS is not implied, and NIEHS does not guarantee their continuing safe content or privacy policies. So please ask your parent or guardian before continuing to any non-NIEHS website, and especially before providing any information via the internet or by e-mail. When last reviewed, the websites linked from the NIEHS Kids' Pages seemed suitable for you to visit, but that may have changed; if you have any difficulties or concerns with any linked materials, please let us know.

Going on a Lion Hunt

Version 2 (Audience echos each line and sets up clap/lap-slapping rhythm)

Version 2

(Audience echos each line and sets up clap/lap-slapping rhythm)