Itsy Bitsy Spider

"Itsy Bitsy Spider" (also known as "Eensy Weensy Spider" [Or "Incey Wincey" or "Teensy Weensy" or "Inky Pinky".] ) is a popular nursery rhyme that describes the adventures of a spider as it ascends, descends and reascends the downspout or "waterspout" of a gutter system (or, alternatively, the spout of a teapot). It is usually accompanied by a sequence of gestures that mimic the words of the song. The most commonly referenced first published version was in 1962. [http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/ballads/BGMG579.html] . However, numerous earlier references can be found — for example, in "Western Folklore", by the California Folklore Society (1947) and "The Growing Family: A Guide for Parents" by Maxwell Slutz Stewart (1955). An alternate version can be found much earlier in the book, "Camp and Camino in Lower California", (1910).

Lyrics

The Itsy Bitsy Spider or The Eensy Weensy Spider is sometimes chanted rather than sung. Recitation of the rhyme is often combined with actions representing the words. For the first (and last) line, alternately touch the thumb of one hand to the index finger of the other. For "Down came the rain" hold both hands up and wiggle the fingers as you lower the hands. For "washed the spider out" sweep the hands to the side. For the third line bring both hands up and then to the sides to sweep out a semi-circle (the sun). Then wiggle the fingers upwards (to show the rain drying in the sun), and repeat the thumb/index finger movement to indicate the spider climbing up the spout.

There are various versions of the lyrics:

:The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.:Down came the rain, and washed the spider out.:Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain :And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.(Some versions have "climbed" or "crawled" instead of "went".)

Absurdist Metaphor

Some scholars view the lyrics as an Absurdist metaphor in the tradition of Albert Camus's interpretation of the Sisyphus myth.Fact|date=January 2008 This idea is borne out somewhat by the structural similarity between the two stories; A hero attempts to reach a great height, only to be pushed down by Forces out of their control, represented by Nature or the gods.

Movie

*Itsy Bitsy Spider (film)
*Itsy Bitsy Spider (TV Series)

"Itsy-Bitsy" is the name of a character on the Thumb Wrestling Federation.

In popular culture

* The original "Itsy Bitsy spider" is credited in 1962.
* California Folklore Society sang it for Western Folklore in 1947.
* Bart Simpson sings it to Patty and Selma in "The Simpsons" season 4 episode "Lisa's First Word" (December 3, 1992).
* Nicole Kidman's character in the movie "Dead Calm" sings it to her son at the beginning of the film.
* A little girl sings it in the beginning of the movie "Stephen King's IT".
* Ariel Gade's character Cecilia sings it in the movie "Dark Water".
* Carly Simon made a cross-over song between "Itsy Bitsy spider" and her own "Coming Around Again" for her album "Coming Around Again" in 1987 and on the soundtrack "Heartburn" in 1986.
* Ike Broflovski sings this song for an audition in the episode "Something You Can Do with Your Finger" on "South Park".
* Ben Vereen sang it in the 1990 movie "Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme".
* The lyrics to "Itsy Bitsy spider" are thrown in backwards at the end of The Mars Volta's song "Eunuch Provocateur" on their Tremulant EP of 2002.
* A macabre version of the song is performed by Joey DeLuxe for the soundtrack of "Eight Legged Freaks" in 2002.
* EliZe covered the refrain of "Itsy Bitsy spider" for her 3:11 same-named song for the album "In Control".
* Raffi and Barney covered Itsy Bitsy in a small version of 1:03.
* Aqua covered the song titled with Z, "Itzy Bitzy Spider", in 1995 as a single in Scandinavia.
* Binky Barnes sang this song in the "Arthur" episode "Misfortune Teller" in order to settle a dispute over the lyrics to the song.
* Al Murray used the entire song and hand actions as part of a patriotic comedy routine involving full audience interation during the 2007 Royal Variety Performance in Liverpool.
* In Wee Sing Together, Jenny sings it when a thunderstorm aproaches and the group takes cover in a cave, and she spots a spiderweb.

References