What Are the Lyrics to the Ants Go Marching?

Known as a children’s song, “The Ants Go Marching” is a great rhyme that teaches rhyming, counting and math. It was originally written by Irish-American composer Patrick Gilmore. It was published by the Library of Congress in 1863, and is considered a patriotic song. It was sung by both Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. The lyrics were inspired by Gilmore’s sister, Annie. The song was written to encourage the soldiers to return home from war. The song is sometimes accompanied by actions.

When the first verse is sung, the children begin to march on the spot. When the ant stops marching, the children get smaller. After a few seconds, the children stop, bend their knees and hold up the number of fingers they have on their hands. The last verse is sung, when the children say, “The end,” and the ant says, “The end.” The song is a great way to teach math, rhyming and counting. It’s also a fun way to learn about the Civil War. The song was also popular during World War II, and is now being taught as a children’s song. It is also available on YouTube Kids. It has parental controls for those who prefer it, and is also available on smart speakers.