Jazz Chants: Rhythms of American English for

Students of English As a Second Language

by Carolyn Graham
Paperback - 80 pages (June 1979)
Oxford University Press; ISBN: 0195024079 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.32 x 11.00 x 8.52

1. Sh! Sh! Baby's Sleeping!

I said, Sh! Sh! Baby's sleeping!
I said, Sh! Sh! Baby's sleeping!
What did you say?
What did you say?
I said, Hush! Hush! Baby's sleeping!
I said, Hush! Hush! Baby's sleeping!
What did you say?
What did you say?
I said, Please be quiet, Baby's sleeping!
I said, Please be quiet, Baby's sleeping!
What did you say?
What did you say?
I said, Shut up! Shut up! Baby's sleeping!
I said, Shut up! Shut up! Baby's sleeping!
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Not anymore.

1
2. Big Mouth John Brown
Who did you see?
I saw John.
John who?
John Brown.
I can't hear you.
I said John Brown.
I can't hear you.
I said John Brown.
I can't hear you.
I said John Brown.
I said John Brown.
John Brown.
John Brown.
What did he say?
Who?
John Brown.
John Brown?
Yes. What did he say?
He didn’t say anything.
Nothing?
Not a word.
I don't believe it.
I don't believe it.
Big Mouth John Brown didn't say a word?
Not a word.
I don't believe it. I don't believe it.
Big Mouth John Brown didn't say a word?
Big Mouth John Brown didn't say a word.

2
3. Rain
It was raining, raining, raining hard.
It was falling on my head.
It was falling on the stars.
It was falling on the sun.
It was falling on my shoes.
I got soaking wet.
I got soaking wet.
But I stayed outside.
I stayed outside.
The rain was sweet.
The rain was warm.
The rain was soft.
It reminded me of home.

It was raining, raining, raining hard.

It was falling, falling, falling on the stars.
It was raining, raining, raining hard.
It was falling, falling, falling on the stars.

Soft rain
Raining, raining
Sweet rain
Raining, raining
Warm rain
Raining, raining

Sweet soft Raining, raining

Warm rain Raining, raining
Sweet soft Raining, raining
Warm rain Raining, raining

4. Sally Speaks Spanish, But Not Very Well

Sally speaks Spanish, but not very well.
When she tries to speak Spanish,
you really can't tell
what language she's speaking
or trying to speak.
The first time I heard her,
I thought it was Greek.

3
5. How's His English?
His English is wonderful,
he speaks very well.
His accent is perfect.
You really can't tell
That he isn't a native of the U.S.A.
There's only one problem,
he has nothing to say.

6. It's Got to be Somewhere

Where is it? Where is it?
Where is it? Where is it?
I can't find it!
She can't find it!
It's got to be here, it's got to be here!
It has to be here! It must be here!
It's gone! It's gone!
It's gone! It's gone!
Take it easy! Take it easy!
It has to be here.
It must be here.
It can't be lost.
It can't be lost.
It's got to be here.
It's got to be here.
Try to remember.
Try to remember.
I can't remember. [or]
Try to remember.
I can't remember.
Think back!
I can't think.
Think back!
I can't think.
Where did you put it?
Where did you put it?
I can’t remember.
I can't remember.
Oh, here it is, here it is!
Thank heavens!
Thank heavens!
I found it.
She found it!
Here it is! Here it is!
Whew!

4
7. Tall Trees
Tall trees, tall trees, big, tall trees
Tall trees, tall trees,

The cost of California

is a beautiful sight,
with the tall trees, tall trees, big tall trees
big tall trees, tall trees

8. Selfish
This is mine!
That's yours!
Don't touch mine!
Get your own!
This is mine!
That's yours!
This is mine!
That's yours!
This is mine!
That's yours!
That's yours!
That's yours!
Hey, what are you doing?
What are you doing with that?
That's mine!
Hey, what are you doing?
What are you doing with that?
That's his!
Hey, what are you doing?
What are you doing with that?
That's hers!
What's mine is mine.
What's yours is yours.
What's his is his.
What's hers is hers.
What's ours is ours.
What's theirs is theirs.

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9. What Are You Going to Do at Two?
What are you going to do at two?
What are you going to do?
Where are you going to be at three?
Where are you going to be?
Who are you going to see?
What are you going to say?
How are you going to go?
Where are you going to stay?
What are you going to do?
Who are you going to see?
When are you going to leave?
Where are you going to be?

10. Meet Me in the Morning

Meet me in the morning.
Meet me at noon.
Meet me in September, in the middle of June.
Meet me at midnight.
Meet me in the hall.
Meet me in the summer.
Meet me in the fall.
Meet me in the evening.
Meet me at eight.
I'll meet you anytime you want but please don't be late.

6
11.Taking Credit
Whose book is this?
It's mine. It's mine.
Are you sure it's not his?
No, No, it's mine!
Whose work is this?
This beautiful work!
It's mine! It's mine!
It's mine! It's mine!
Whose work is this?
This awful work!
It's his! It's his!
It's his! It's his!
Are you sure it's not yours?
Of course it's not mine!
It's certainly not mine!
Not mine, not mine!
Not yours?
Not mine!
Are you sure?
I'm sure!
It's his! It's his!
Not yours?
Not mine!

12. A Bad Day

I overslept and missed my train,
slipped on the sidewalk in the pouring rain,
sprained my ankle, skinned my knees,
broke my glasses, lost my keys,
got stuck in the elevator,
it wouldn't go,
kicked it twice and stubbed my toe,
bought a pen | that didn't write,
took it back and had a fight,
went home angrily,
locked the door,
crawled into bed,
couldn't take any more.

7
13. More Bad Luck
The bread was stale, it was four days old.
The milk was sour.
The coffee was cold.
The butter was rancid.
The steak was tough.
The service was dreadful.
The waiter was rough.
My bill was huge.
His tip was small.
I'm sorry I went to that place at all.

14. Personal Questions

Where were you born?
I'd rather not say.
Where are you from?
I'd rather not say.
How tall are you?
How old are you?
How much do you weigh?
I'd rather not say.
How much rent do you pay:
I'd rather not say.
How much do you make?
I'd rather not say.
Why aren't you married?
I'd rather not say.
Why don't you have children?
I'd rather not say.
Where were you last night?
Why weren't you home?
Did you stay out late?
Did you come home alone?
Did you have a good time?
Did you see a good play?
Did you go to a concert?
I'd rather not say.

8
15. Do You Know Mary?
Do you know Mary?
Mary who?
Mary McDonald.
Of course I do.
Do you know-her little brother?

Yes, of course I do.

I know her brother, and her mother
and her father too.
Do you know her older sister?
Yes, of course I do.
I know her older sister, Betty
and her younger sister, Sue.
Do you know her Aunt Esther?
Yes, of course I do.
I know her aunts and her uncles
and her cousins too.
Do you know her husband Bobby?
Yes, of course I do.
I know her husband and his brother
and his father too.

16. Departure and Return Home

Have a wonderful trip!
Have a wonderful trip!
Don't forget to call me when you get back.
Have a wonderful trip!
Have a wonderful trip!
Don't forget to call me when you get back.
Have a wonderful trip!
Don't worry, I will.
Have a wonderful trip!
Don't worry, I will.
Don't forget-to call me.
Don't worry, I won't.
Don't forget to call me.
Don't worry, I won't.

9
17. Return
Gee, it's good to see you
You look wonderful!
So do you!
It's been a long time!
It sure has.
It's been a long time!
It sure has.
I missed you terribly.
Me too!
I'm so glad you're back!
So am I.

18. On a Diet
First she gave up smoking.
Then she ' gave up gin.
Then she gave up chocolate cake.
She wanted to be thin.
Then she gave up breakfast.
Then she gave up lunch.
On lazy Sunday mornings she even gave up brunch.
No matter what she gave up, her skirts were very tight.
'Cause she ate twelve cans of tuna fish
for dinner every night.

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19. Twelve Cans of Tuna Fish Rag
Twelve cans! Twelve cans!
Twelve cans of tuna fish. Twelve cans.
How many cans?
Twelve, twelve.
Did you say twelve?
Yes, I said twelve.
Twelve cans of what?
Twelve cans of fish.
Twelve cans of fish?
Yes, fish, yes, fish.
What kind of fish?
Tuna, tuna.
Twelve cans of tuna fish?
Yes, twelve cans.
Oh, my goodness!
No wonder she's fat!
How often does she eat those twelve cans of tuna?
How often does she eat those twelve big cans?
Every night, every night.
She eats twelve cans of tuna fish
every night.
You're kidding!
Oh, my goodness! No wonder she's fat!
That's a lot of tuna.
It sure is!
That's a lot of tuna.
It sure is!
That's too much tuna, if you ask me.
It sure is! It sure is!
Twelve cans of tuna is a lot of fish if you ' ask me, if you ' ask me.
It sure is!
It sure is!

11
20. Panic on Being Late
What time is it?
What time is it?
Hurry up! Hurry up!
Hurry up! Hurry up!
What time is it?
What time is it?
Please hurry up!
We're going to be late!
Oh, I don't have time to talk to you now.
I'm late, I'm late, I'm terribly late.
Hurry up! Hurry up!
What time is it?
Hurry up! Hurry up!
What time is it?
Hurry up!
What time is it?
Hurry up!

21. Ouch! That Hurts

Ouch!
What's the matter?
I stubbed my toe.
Oh, that hurts, that hurts.
I know that hurts.
Ouch!
What's the matter?
I bit my tongue.
Oh, that hurts, that hurts.
I know that hurts.
Ouch!
What's the matter?
I got a cramp in my foot.
Oh, that hurts, that hurts.
I know that hurts.
Ouch! Ouch!
What's the matter now?
I bumped into the table, tripped on the stairs, slipped on the carpet, fell over the chairs.
Gee! You're clumsy today!

12
22. Would You Walk to China If You Had the Time?
Would you walk to China if you had the time?
Would you leave at a quarter to three?
Would you walk to China if you had the time?
Would you walk to China with me?
Of course, I'd walk to China if I had the time. I'd leave at a quarter to three.
Of course, I'd walk to China tomorrow night, if I were only free.
Why can't you walk to China tomorrow night?
Why can't you go to China at three?
Why can't you walk out on your sweet sugar cat and sail to China with me?
Well, I have to stay home and take care of my plants
take care of my darling too,
and I'd never walk out on my sweet sugar cat and go to China with you.

23. Major Decisions

How do you like your coffee?
Black! Black!
How do you like your tea.?
With lemon, please.
How do you like your steak?
Medium rare.
How do you like your eggs?
I don't care!
Sunny-side up?
I don't care!
Poached on toast?
I don't care!
Scrambled, with bacon?
I don't care!
Over-easy?
I don't care!
Soft-boiled?
Hard-boiled?
I don't care!
How about an omelet?
I don't care!
Come on, tell me!
This isn't fair.
I told you the truth. I really don't care!

13
24. I Gave It Away
I gave it away.
You what?
I gave it away.
What did you say?
I said I gave it away.
Gave it away?
That's what I said.}. I said ' I ' gave it away.
Why?
Because I wanted to.
You wanted to?
Yes, I wanted to.
Why didn't you sell it?
Sell it?
Yes, sell it, sell it.
Why ' didn't you sell it?
I didn't want to.
Why not? Why not?
I didn't want to.
Why not? Why not?
I didn't want to.
Why didn't you give it to me?
I didn't want to.
Why didn't you give it to him?
I didn't want to.
Why didn't you give it to her?
I didn't want to.
Why didn't you give it to them?
I didn't want to.
I didn't want to.

25. Banker's Wife's Blues

Where does John live?
He lives near the bank.
Where does he work?
He works at the bank.
When does he work?
He works all day and he works all night,
at the bank, at the bank, at the great, big bank.
Where does he study?
He studies at the bank.
Where does he sleep?
He sleeps at the bank.
Why does he spend all day, all night,
all day, all night, at the bank, at the bank?
Because he loves his bank more than his wife
and the loves his money more than his life.

14
26. Tell Me Your Name
Tell me your name again, please.
Tell me your name.
Tell me your first name.
Tell me your last name.
Spell your name for me, please.
Spell your name.
Pronounce your name for me, please.
Say it again.
What a beautiful name!
What a lovely name!

27. Sand
If I were home,
If I were home,
I'd run to the beach, take off my shoes and walk in the sand.
I'd shake the sand out of my shoes.
I'd feel it between my toes.
I'd smell wet sand in my hair.
I'd feel it in my eyes.
My face would sparkle from the sand.
I would say, "I hate this sand."
Back home, the bed would be full of sand
and my clothes, and my hair.
I would wake up and feel the sand in my hair.
Oh, it's been so" long since I have felt sand in my hair.

15
28. A Late Again
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
Are you ready to go?
Not quite, not quite.
Just a minute, don't rush me!
Hurry up, hurry up!
Hurry up, hurry up!
I'll be ready in a minute,
in a minute, in a minute.
I can't find my keys!
I can't find my keys!
Come on, let's go!
Come on, let's go!
I can't find my socks!
I can't find my socks!
Come on, let's go!
Let's go, let's go!
I can't find my shoes!
I can't find my shoes!
Come on, let's go!
Let's go, let's go!
Your keys are in your hand,
Your socks are in your shoes,
Your shoes are on the floor..
Let's go, let's go!

16
29. Warning
Watch out! Watch out!
Watch out! Watch out!
Watch out!
There's a hole in the floor!
What?
A hole.
Where?
In the floor.
A hole in the floor?
Yes, a hole in the floor,
A great big hole in the floor.
Well, I don't see any hole in the floor.
I don't see any hole.
It's there!
Where? Right there!
Right here? Yes, right there.
Are you sure?
Sure, I'm sure. It's big as a house.
Big?
It's huge.
Huge?
It's huge.
A huge hole, ' a great big hole,
a great big hole in the floor.
I think you re kidding.
You're teasing me.
There's no hole in the . . .

17
30. Friends
Well, I've known Jack for fourteen years.
He's a pretty good friend of mine.
She's known Jack for fourteen years.
He's a pretty good friend of hers.
And I've known Bill for thirteen years.
He's a pretty good friend of mine.
She's known Bill for thirteen years.
He's a pretty good friend of hers.
I've known them both for quite a long time.
They're pretty good friends of mine.
She's known them both for quite a long time.
They're pretty good friends of hers.
I've known Jim for a long time.
He's an old, old friend of mine.
She's known Jim for a long time
He's an old, old friend of hers.
We're old friends, old friends.
He's a dear, old friend of mine.
How long have you known your old friend Sue?
How long have you known dear Claude and Sue?
Well, I met them just before I met you.
They're my closest friends, dear Claude and Sue.

18
31.Easy Solutions
Gee, I'm hungry;
Have a sandwich.
Gee, I'm angry!
Calm down!
Gee, I'm sleepy!
Take a nap!
Gee, it's chilly in here!
Put on a sweater.
Gee, it's hot in here!
Open a window.
I've got the hiccups!
Drink some water.
My nose itches.
Scratch it.
My feet hurt.
Sit down for awhile.
My shoes are tight.
Take them off.
I have a toothache.
Go to the dentist.
I have a headache.
Take some aspirin.
I'm lonely!
Call up a friend.
I'm bored!
Go to a movie.

19
32.Love Song
Does she love him?
Yes, she does.
Is she happy?
Yes, she is.
Does he know it?
Yes, he does, yes, he knows it.
Will she hug him?
Yes, she will.
Will she kiss him?
Yes, she will.
Will she leave him?
Yes, she will, if she has to.
Does he love her?
Yes, he does.
Is he happy?
Yes, he is.
Does she know it?
Yes, she does, yes, she knows it.
Will he hug her?
Yes, he will.
Will he kiss her?
Yes, he will.
Will he leave her?
Yes, he will, if he has to.
Are they happy?
Yes, they are.
Are they lucky?
Yes, they are.
Do they know it?
Yes, they do, yes they know it.
Will he find somebody new?
Will she find somebody too?
Yes, they will.
Yes, they will, if they have to.

20
33.On the Rocks
You never listen to me.
What did you say?
You never listen to me.
What?
He never listens, to me. He never talks to me.
He just sits, around, and watches TV.
She never listens to me.
She never talks to me.
She just sits around, and watches TV.
She never listens to me.
She just sits around.
She never talks to me.
She just sits around. She just sits around.
She just sits around, and watches TV.
She just sits around.
He never listens to me.
He just sits around.
He never talks to me.
He just sits around.
He just sits around.
He just sits around, and watches TV.
He just sits around.

34. The Beaches of Mexico

Have you ever seen the beaches of Mexico?
Have you ever walked the streets of San Juan?
Have you ever been to Haiti?
Have you ever been to Spain?
Have you ever walked barefoot in a heavy rain?
Have you ever been in trouble?
Have you ever been in pain?
Have you ever been in love?
Would you do it all again?
Well, I've never seen the beaches of Mexico.
I've never walked the streets of San Juan.
I've never been to Haiti.
I've never been to Spain.
I've never walked barefoot
in a heavy rain.
But I've sure been in trouble,
I've sure been in pain,
I've sure been in love,
I'd do it all again.

21
35. I'm Sorry, But...
I'm sorry, but you've got to do better than this.
I'm doing the best I can.
I'm sorry, but you've got to walk faster than this.
I'm walking as fast as I can.
I'm sorry, but you've got to work harder than this.
I'm working as hard as I can.
It's not good enough
It's not good enough
It's not good enough
It's not good enough
I'm doing my best.
Try a little harder.
I'm doing my best.
Try a little harder.
I'm doing my best.
Try a little harder.
I can't, I can't.
Don't say can't.
I won't, I won't but I'm doing my best.
Do a little better.
I'm doing my best.
Do a little better.
I'm doing my best.
Try a little harder.
I'll try, I'll try.
Try a little harder.
I'll try, I'll try.

22
36. Baby Bobby
Betty bought a bright blue blanket for her baby boy.
He cried when he saw it.
He hates bright blue.

Betty bought a blanket.

Betty bought a blanket.
Betty bought a blue blanket.
Betty bought a blue blanket.
Betty bought a bright blue blanket
a bright, blue blanket for her baby boy,
for her baby boy.
He cried when he saw it.
He hates bright blue.
Betty's baby's name is Bobby.
Baby Bobby is a bad, bad boy.
Bobby is a bad, bad baby.
He drives everybody crazy.
Bobby is a bad, bad baby.
Baby Bobby is a bad, bad boy.
Bobby broke his mother's glasses.
Bobby Baby! Why did you do that?
Bobby lost his father's keys.
Bobby Baby! Why did you do that?
Bobby threw the paper in the kitchen sink.
Daddy got very, very angry.
He cut all the buttons off his father's shirt.
Daddy got very, very angry.
Bobby is a bad, bad baby.
Baby Bobby is a bad, bad boy.

37. It's Like Winter Today

It's like winter today.
It looks like winter.
It feels like winter.
Close the windows!
Shut the door!
Light the stove! Hold me!
It's like spring today!
It looks like spring.
It feels like spring.
Open all the windows!
Open the door!
Turn off the stove! Hold me!

23
38. My Feet Hurt
My feet hurt!
Take off your shoes!
My feet hurt!
Take off your shoes!
My feet hurt!
Take off your shoes!
My feet hurt!
Take off your shoes!
It's hot in here!
Take off your sweater!
It's hot in here!
Take off your sweater!
It's hot in here!
Take off your sweater!
My feet hurt!
Take off your shoes!
It's cold in here!
Put on your sweater!
It's cold in here!
Put on your sweater!
It's cold in here!
Put on your sweater!
My feet hurt!
Take off your shoes!
My hands are cold!
Put on your gloves!
My hands are cold!
Put on your gloves!
My hands are cold!
Put on your gloves!
My feet hurt!
Take off your shoes!

24
39. Mama Knows Best
You shouldn't do it that way.
You ought to do it this way.
You ought to do it this way.
You ought to do it my way.
You shouldn't wear it that way.
You ought to wear it this way.
You ought to wear it this way.
You ought to wear it my way.
You shouldn't go with them.
You ought to go with us.
You shouldn't take the train.
You ought to take the bus.
You shouldn't wear that hat.
You ought to cut your hair.
You shouldn't get so fat.
You ought to eat a pear.
You shouldn't do it that way.
You ought to do it this way.
You ought to do it this way.
You ought to do it my way.

40. The Fred Poems

Fred Gets Up at Eight O'clock
Fred gets up at eight o'clock, his cats ' get up at seven.
His dog wakes up at ten to six, but his bird sleeps 'till eleven.
Fred Gave a Party But Nobody Came
Fred gave a party, ' but nobody came.
Nobody came ' but his Mom.
Fred gave a party, ' but nobody came.
Nobody came but Tom.
Tom left early.
Mom went home.
Fred had to stay at his party '
alone.
Four Fat Flies
I wish I could find those four fat flies
that flew in my window last Friday night.
Four flies flew in, ' four flies, not three.
One landed on Fred,
three landed on me.

25
41. Big Bill Bell
He's here!
Who's here?
Bill's here.
Bill who?
Bill Bell.
Bill Bell?
Who's he?
You know him.
I do?
Of course you do.
He's a friend of yours.
He is?
Of course he is.
Big Bill. Big Bill Bell.
Oh, you mean Bill! Big Bill!
That's right, that's him!
You know him very well.
Sure I do!
Big Bill Bell!
Big Bill Bell!
I know him very well.

42. Wake Up! Wake Up!

Wake up! Wake up!
What time is it?
Wake up! Wake up!
What time is it?
It's time to get up.
What time is it?
It's time to get up.
What time is it?
Come on, get up!
I don't want to get up.
Come on, get up!
I don't want to get up.
You have to get up!
I don't want to get up.
You must get up!
I don't want to get up.
You've got to get up!
I don't want to get up.
Come on, get up!
I don't want to get up.
Get up! Get up! You're going to be late!
Late for what?
Late for work.
Late for work?
It's Sunday!

26
43. Well, He Eats Like a Pig
Well, he eats like a pig,' he can't get enough,
' He works like a dog, ' he looks real tough.
He smokes like a chimney,' four packs a day.
' He sleeps like a log ' what more can I say?

He drinks like a fish, ' scotch on the rocks.

When he gets real mad, he hardly talks.
He cries like a baby when he's feeling sad.
He's the dearest friend I've ever had.

44. You're Just Like Your Mother

Stop it!
Stop what?
Stop arguing with me.
I'm not arguing with you.
Yes, you are.
No, I'm not.
Yes, you are.
No, I'm not.
You are too!
I ' am not!
You are too!
I am not!
You're just like your mother.
I am not!
Yes, you are!
No, I'm not!
Yes, you are!
No, I'm not!
She loves to argue.
No, she doesn't!
Yes, she does!
No, she doesn't!
Yes, she does!
No, she doesn't!
She ' does too!
She does not!
She ' does too!
She does not!
Don't argue with me!

27