Mary Wore Her Red Dress

USA

HISTORY AND SONG NOTES

Mary Wore Her Red Dress is an American folksong from Texas.

Movement & Turn Taking Game

Mary Wore Her Red Dress works well as a turn taking circle game, where each child has a chance to take a turn around the circle, while the group sings for them. Alternately, this can be done as a seated game, where each child is sung for in turn. You can change the lyrics of the song for each child, i.e. “John wore his black shoes,” or “Ellen wore her plaid skirt,” etc.

Instruments

While offering turns for each child, you may find that having the group play an instrument as they sing, such as a drum, sticks, or a shaker, increases engagement and supports the children’s ability to wait for their turn to come.

Circle Time Game

This song works well at circle time, as a way to greet each child, and give them the opportunity to share with the group. For example, each child can have the chance to share something that they saw on their way to school that morning, and the lyrices change accordingly: i.e. “Jasper saw a white dog,” or “Margaret saw a fire truck”, etc.

AUDIO RECORDING FOR LISTENING, SINGING ALONG, AND LEARNING:

PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT:

DOWNLOADS:

PDF of Score: Mary Wore Her Red Dress

mp3 of piano accompaniment: Mary Wore Her Red Dress