Cucanandy
ireland
HISTORY AND SONG NOTES
Cucanandy is a folksong from Ireland. The origins of this song are unclear, but it is believed to be a “baby dandling” song, or a song where you might gently and playfully bounce a baby on your knee. In some texts, you may find the word Cucanandy written in Gaelic as Cuaichin Aindi; the text of this song does not have a literal translation, and is believed to be nonsense sounds.
BOUNCE
This song makes an excellent lap bounce for babies, infants, or toddlers in adult/child settings, or by older children bouncing or moving on their own. The children may enjoy if you vary the tempo of the song while alternating the speed of the bounce to match, or varying the dynamics of your singing while altering the force of the bounce. Click here for more information and suggestions about bounces.
Circle Game
Preschool aged children can move this song in a circle, stepping along with the beat, and coming to a stop at the end of the song. As they advance and become more comfortable, you can try changing directions with each phrase, or alternating moving in and out of the circle with each phrase. The children may enjoy if you vary the tempo of the song while alternating the speed of their walk to match, or varying the dynamics, meter, or feeling of the song to accompany different movements. Click here for more information and suggestions about circle games and group movement.
INSTRUMENT PLAYING
Cucanandy also works well as a group percussion instrument playing activity due to its steady beat and easy-to-sing repetitive pattern. Click here for more information and suggestions for group instrument playing.