The Engine Engine Number Nine song is popular among kindergarten kids as a counting song as a way of picking a person who is “out” or simple as a beat count while jump-roping or exercising. Children gather in a circle, and one child sings the rhyme while pointing at all the kids one-by-one along the beats of the rhyme. The one pointed at the end is “it” or the chosen one.
Lyrics Of The Rhyme Engine Engine Number Nine
Popular Version
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Here’s the most popular version of the Engine Engine Number Nine poem used by kids to pick an ‘It’:
Engine, engine number nine,
Going down Chicago line,
If the train goes off the track,
Do you want your money back?
Yes, no, maybe so!
Y-E-S Spells Yes And You Are It!
Or
N-O Spells No And You Are It!
Alternate Version:
Here’s an alternate version of the rhyme that kids recite to decide who is ‘out’
Engine, engine number nine,
Running on Chicago line.
At the lake at half past eight,
Back once more at half past four.
O-U-T spells out and out she goes.
Other Versions:
The poem is also recited as a jump-rope rhyme, to maintain the rhythm while skipping and playing games.
Engine, engine, number nine,
Running on the Chicago Line.
See it sparkle, see it shine,
Engine, engine, number nine.
Indian Version:
There are other versions too, with the city name changing to make it more relatable for kids
Engine, Engine number nine,
When it is ready, it will shine.
Engine, Engine number nine,
Then we’ll ride on the Mumbai line.
What Will Your Child Learn From Engine Engine Number Nine
Seemingly this nursery rhyme for kids is just a rhythmic poem to engage kids in play. It can be used to teach them about beats, counts and rhythm as this rhyme is mostly used by kids as a song to determine who’s “it” or whose turn it is going to be while playing a game.
However, while reciting the rhyme over and over again, children will learn concepts about trains and engines as they will visualise it while singing.
You can take this opportunity to teach them how trains are pulled by engines and educate them about various types of engines that run.
In most children’s picture books and videos, kids may have come across olden days’ steam engines, however, the latest electric engines are what they may have experienced while travelling by trains. Isn’t this going to be a fun observation for your next train journey?
Theme Of The Rhyme Engine, Engine Number Nine
This nursery rhyme is a small verse intended for kids to learn a few new words and concepts of a train. It talks about an engine getting ready to travel down its regular route.
Rhyming Scheme Of Engine Engine Number Nine
The rhyming pattern of Engine Engine Number Nine is AABBC. The rhyme follows a rhythmic beat with each consonant being stressed equally, maintaining a consistency of seven beats per line. This rhythmic effect makes it a perfect jump-rope rhyme.
Words That Your Child Will Learn From Engine Engine Number Nine
Nouns:
- Engine
- Line
- Tracks
- Money
Verbs:
- Going
- Goes
- Want
- Sparkle
- Shine
- Running
- Ride
Rhyming Words:
- Nine-Line-Shine
- Track-Back
- No-So
Suggested Activities
Children in Kindergarten learn best through fun activities. Here are a few ways in which you can get them to learn and enjoy this rhyme.
1. The Classic Jump-Rope
- Skipping is a great exercise for kids. Let’s add some fun to it with this rhyme
- Ask your child to skip on a rope while you recite the rhyme.
- With practice, they should be able to match the speed to keep up with the beats of the rhyme.
2. Tunnel Time
- Let two people stand opposite each other, holding hands to create a tunnel between them.
- Now ask all the other children to form a train by standing in a line, holding the one ahead by the shoulders.
- Now recite the rhyme while the kids go around and pass through the ‘tunnel’.
- Snap the hands shut as if closing the tunnel to capture one child along with the last word of the rhyme.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the Engine Number 9?
Ans. Seemingly, the number nine in the rhyme is used for the purpose of rhyming with the word ‘line’ however, speculations are that this rhyme is based on a particular train and engine.
2. Is this rhyme based on a true story?
Ans. The origin of the rhyme is not known, however, it is believed that there might have been an incident of a major train wreck on the Chicago line with the train getting derailed and falling off the track, for which the people demanded heavy compensations. This may have then become a byword in a forgotten time.
Also Read:
The Wheels On The Bus Rhyme for Kids
Chubby Cheeks Rhyme with Lyrics for Children
Down By The Station Rhyme for Nursery Kids
