Row Row Row Your Boat Lyrics

Often attributed to American educator Eliphalet Oram Lyte around 1852, this short round has become a nursery and classroom staple, often sung in rounds once children are old enough to keep a beat with a partner. It suits toddlers through early elementary age, roughly 2-7, since younger children enjoy the rowing motion alone while older ones can attempt the layered round version. The physical rowing motion that usually accompanies the song, arms pumping back and forth in rhythm, gives children practice coordinating a repeated movement with a steady beat, and early-childhood educators often use songs like this to build the kind of rhythmic body control that later supports both music and gross motor coordination. Its brief, dreamlike final line about life being "but a dream" also gives caregivers a small, natural opening to talk about imagination and feelings with curious children. The song's short length and forgiving melody make it one of the easiest rounds for beginners to attempt together. See more on how movement pairs with music in [this piece on movement songs and gross motor development](/blog/movement-songs-gross-motor-development).

Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.

Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the river.
If you see a polar bear,
Don't forget to shiver!

Row, row, row your boat,
Gently to the shore.
If you see a lion there,
Don't forget to roar!