Hambone

Hambone is such and old and traditional body percussion.   It's so much fun to sing.  Just search online for different lyrics, or make up your own.   Here are some links to sites explaining the Hambone.  

Mama Lisa's World of International Music and lyrics
Hambone recording
Lyrics playground

Notation of the rhythm

 Sample Lyrics
Juba dis and Juba dat, 
and Juba kissed da yellow cat, 
You sift the meal and ya gimme the husk, 
you bake the bread and ya gimme the crust, 
you eat the meat and ya gimme the skin, 
and that's the way, 
my  troubles begin 


Hambone, hambone  where you been?
Round the world and I’m going again
What you gonna do when you come back?
Take a little walk by the railroad track
Hambone Hambone 


Hambone, hambone  Have you heard?
Papa’s gonna buy me a mocking bird

And if that mocking bird don’t sing
Papa’s gonna buy me a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring don’t shine
Papa’s gonna take it to the five and dime
Hambone 

Hambone, hambone   Where you been?
Round the world and I’m going again

I just skinned an alley cat
To make my wife a Sunday hat
Took the hide right off a goat
To make my wife a Sunday coat 

Hambone, hambone  Where’s your wife
Out to the kitchen, cooking beans and rice
Hambone Hambone 


Hambone, hambone  Trying to eat
Ketchup on his elbow, pickle on his feet

Bread in the basket  Chicken in the stew
Supper on the fire for me and you 

Look at him holler, look at him moan
That hambone just can’t hambone
Hambone Hambone