Where Is Thumbkin? Lyrics

Sung to the same tune as the French classic Frère Jacques, this American fingerplay has become one of the most widely used baby songs for introducing the idea of naming and wiggling individual fingers one at a time. It's aimed at babies and young toddlers, roughly 6 months to 2 years old, an age when isolating single fingers is still a developing skill. Early-childhood educators often use fingerplays like this one specifically because the repeated question-and-answer structure gives babies a predictable cue to anticipate, while the finger isolation itself builds the fine motor control needed later for holding crayons and utensils. The call-and-response format ("Here I am, here I am") also introduces babies to conversational turn-taking well before they can talk. Because the melody is already familiar to many parents, it's easy to sing from memory during diaper changes, tummy time, or quiet moments without needing lyrics on hand. Repeating it daily gives babies the many reps needed to eventually wiggle each finger on cue themselves. To explore more songs built around hand and finger movement, see this roundup of [fine motor skills music activities](/blog/fine-motor-skills-music-activities).

Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin?
Here I am! Here I am!
How are you today, sir?
Very well, I thank you.
Run away. Run away.

Where is Pointer? Where is Pointer?
Here I am! Here I am!
How are you today, sir?
Very well, I thank you.
Run away. Run away.

Where is Tall Man? Where is Tall Man?
Here I am! Here I am!
How are you today, sir?
Very well, I thank you.
Run away. Run away.