As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, it’s the perfect time to introduce preschoolers to the vibrant culture and traditions of this festive holiday through music. Our curated selection of St. Patrick’s Day songs is ideal for preschool classrooms, featuring themes of leprechauns, shamrocks, and the rich folklore of Ireland. These songs are designed with preschoolers in mind, offering simple lyrics and engaging melodies that encourage singing, dancing, and learning. Introducing these tunes to your class is not only a fun way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but also an opportunity to teach about Irish culture and the significance of this holiday in an enjoyable and interactive manner.
I’m a Little Leprechaun
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’m a little teapot”
I’m a little leprechaun
Dressed in green,
The tiniest man
That you ever seen.
If you ever catch me, it is told,
I’ll give you my pot of gold!
On St. Patrick’s Day
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “The Mulberry Bush”
Let’s wear green and dance a jig,
Dance a jig, dance a jig.
Let’s wear green and dance a jig,
On St. Patrick’s Day.
How Many Leprechauns?
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle Twinkle Little star”
How many Leprechauns do you see?
Can you count them, one, two, three?
How many Skinny ones?
How many fat?
How many leprechauns with out a hat?
I’m a Little Shamrock
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’m A Little Teapot”
I’m a little shamrock see my leaves.
Count my three petals if you please.
If you give me water and lots of sun,
I’ll bring you good luck and lots of fun.
Leprechaun Fingerplay
Original Author: Unknown
Leprechaun, leprechaun,
Hiding in the hay. (Hide pointer finger under opposite hand.)
Leprechaun, leprechaun,
Don’t you run away. (Hop pointer finger around.)
Leprechaun, leprechaun,
Let’s go out and play. (Hop both pointer fingers together.)
Leprechaun, leprechaun,
It’s St. Patrick’s Day! (Dance pointer fingers up and down.)
This Little Leprechaun
Original Author: Unknown
This little leprechaun slid down the rainbow, (Point to thumb.)
This little leprechaun stayed home. (Point to index finger.)
This little leprechaun picked a shamrock, (Point to middle finger.)
This little leprechaun found some gold. (Point to ring finger.)
This little leprechaun cried, “See if you can catch me,” (Point to little finger.)
As he ran home. (Wiggle little finger.)
Do your Ears Point Up?
Original Author: Unknown
Do your ears point up? (Pull on tops of ears.)
Do you have a lot of luck? (Cross fingers.)
For gold do you dig? (Pretend to dig.)
Can you dance an Irish jig? (Dance a jig.)
If you answered, “Yes,” (Nod head.)
You’re a leprechaun, I’d guess! (Wink eye.)
Five Green Shamrocks
Original Author: Unknown
Five green shamrocks growing outdoors
(Child’s name) picked one, and that left four.
Four little shamrocks, green as they can be.
(Child’s name) picked one and that left three.
Three little shamrocks playing peek-a-boo
(Child’s name) picked one and that left two.
Two little shamrocks nodding in the sun,
(Child’s name) picked one, and that left one.
One little shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day fun.
(Child’s name) picked it, and that left none.
Cut 5 flannel board shamrocks and let the children make shamrocks on a
stick and place the numbers on the shamrocks for math count.
Five Wee Leprechauns
Original Author: Unknown
Five wee leprechauns scurrying by my door,
One jumped away, then there were 4.
Four wee leprechauns climbing in my tree,
One hid in the green leaves, then there were 3.
Three wee leprechauns, just a busy few,
One went for a pot of gold, then there were 2.
Two wee leprechauns, having lots of fun,
One hopped over the rainbow, then there was 1.
One wee leprechaun, with all his work done.
He slipped off for a nap, then there was 0.
Shawn, Shawn, The Leprechaun
Original Author: Unknown
Shawn, Shawn, the leprechaun
Danced through the forest with a green suit on.
You can chase him all day long
Come to close and poof he’s gone.
Catch Him If You Can
Original Author Unknown
Sung To: “The Muffin Man”
Oh! have you seen a leprechaun ,
a leprechaun, a leprechaun?
Oh! have you seen a leprechaun
who came from Ireland?
I’m A Little Leprechaun
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’m A Little Teapot”
I’m a little leprechaun, can’t you see?
I am as tiny as can be!
I only come around just once a year
That’s when St. Patrick’s Day is here!
Can’t Catch Me
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Skip to my Lou”
Can’t, can’t, can’t Catch me!
Can’t, can’t, can’t Catch me!
Can’t, can’t, can’t Catch me!
For I’m wearing green, you see!
The Leprechaun
Original Author: Unknown
A leprechaun is small and green,
(Use hand to indicate a small person.)
He hides where he cannot be seen.
(Cover eyes with hands.)
But if you catch one on this day,
(Shake finger.)
He must give his gold away.
(Pretend to put gold in pocket.)
Go On A Leprechaun Hunt
Original Author: Unknown
(an adaptation of the Bear Hunt)
Ask the children to listen closely and follow the directions. Instruct
them to clap the rhythm or slap their knees as you tell the story.
Going on a leprechaun hunt. I’m not afraid.
Let’s go! Oh. look! I see a grassy field.
Can’t go around it. Can’t go under it. Can’t go over it. Let’s go through it.
Let’s go! Swish, swish, swish, swish.
Oh, look! I see a giant tree.
Can’t go over it. Can’t go under it. Can’t go through it. Let’s climb it.
Let’s go! Climb, climb, climb.
Oh, look! I see a river.
Can’t go over it. Can’t go around it. Can’t go under it. Let’s Swim it.
Let’s go. Swim, swim, swim.
Oh, look! I see a dark cave.
Can’t go around it. Can’t go under it. Can’t go over it. Let’s tiptoe into it.
Let’s go. Tippy, tippy, toe.
It’s really dark in here. Better turn on my flashlight.
Oh, no. I see something!
It’s mean! It’s green! It’s a leprechaun! Let’s go!
Run! Run! Swim! Swim! Climb! Climb! Swish! Swish!
Whew…safe at home again.
Shamrocks
Original Author: Unknown
5 Little Shamrocks lying in the grass
along came a leprechaun skipping down the path
he picked one up and put it on the door
that’s for good luck now there are 4
4 little shamrocks lying in the grass
along came a leprechaun skipping down the path
he picked it up and and put it on a tree
that’s for good luck now there are 3
3 little shamrocks lying in the grass
along came a leprechaun skipping down the path
he picked it up and put it on his shoe
that’s for good luck now there are 2
2 little shamrocks lying in the grass
along came a leprechaun skipping down the path
he picked it up and held it toward the sun
that’s for good luck now there is 1
1 little shamrock lying in the grass
along came a leprechaun skipping down the path
he left it there so there’d always be 1
that’s for good luck and now my stories done!
The Shamrock Is Green
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “The Farmer in the Dell”
The shamrock is green
The shamrock is green
Hi, Ho, St. Patrick’s Day
The shamrock is green.
I’m A Little Leprechaun
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’m A Little Teapot”
I’m a little Leprechaun, short and green.
Here is my shamrock but I can’t be seen.
When you pull my feather, hear me scream (everyone scream)
I’m a little Leprechaun, short and green.
Eensy Weensy Leprechaun
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Eensy Weensy Spider”
An eensy, weensy leprechaun
came out St. Patrick’s Day
to look for the gold
That was hidden far away.
Over the rainbow
was where he was told
so, with the wink of his green eye,
He ran for the gold.
I Caught A Leprechaun
Original Author: Unknown
Mother, mother, What do you day
I caught a leprechaun
Out at Play
Mother, mother,
What do you say,
That little leprechaun
Ran away
Mother Mother
What do you think
He meant when he turned
and gave me a wink
This Little Leprechaun
Original Author: Unknown
This little leprechaun slid down the rainbow
(Point to thumb)
This little leprechaun stayed home
(Point to index finger)
This little leprechaun picked a shamrock,
(Point to middle finger)
This little leprechaun found some gold and this little leprechaun cried, See if you can catch me!
Five Little Leprechauns
Original Author: Unknown
Five little leprechauns were dancing on the shore.
The king waved a magic wand, and then there were________.
Four little leprechauns were dancing merrily.
The king waved a magic wand, and then there were________.
Three little leprechauns danced a jig as they can do.
The king waved a magic wand, and then there were_________.
Two little leprechauns were dancing on the run.
The king waved a magic wand, and then there were _______.
One little leprechaun was lonely as could be.
The king called the leprechauns and gave them cakes and tea.
St. Patrick’s Day Song
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
If you’re wearing green today, dance a jig,
If you’re wearing green today, dance a jig,
If you’re wearing green today,
Dance a jig, then smile and say,
“Have a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day”
Additional verses:
“If you’re wearing green today, clap your hands”
“If you’re wearing green today, spin around”
“If you’re wearing green today, shout “Hurray!””
“If you’re wearing green today, stamp your feet”
St. Patrick’s Day
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”
We’re wearing green for the Irish (3 X) On this St. Patrick’s Day.
We’ll dance a jig for the Irish (3 X) On this St. Patrick’s Day.
Me fither & mither were Irish (3 X) and I am Irish too.
We kept a pig in the parlor (3 X) and he is Irish too.
Wee Little Patrick
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Yankee Doodle”
Patrick is a leprechaun
He has a sack of gold
He hides it in a special place
Between to stumps, I’m told I
I think I saw Patrick Out in the woods at play
He smiled and laughed and winked his eye
And then he ran away
Don’t try to follow Patrick
To find his treasure sack
He’ll twist and jump and run away
And he never will come back.
The Leprechaun Song
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “If You’re Happy”
I saw a leprechaun all dressed in green.
It was the only leprechaun I’ve ever seen.
He has a pixie turned up nose
And pixie turned up toes.
Oh, I saw a leprechaun all dressed in green.
He was only about as big as my thumb,
He was only about as big as my thumb.
His beard was long & white
I marveled at his height.
He was only about as big as my thumb.
He had buried secret, hidden treasure,
He had buried, secret, hidden treasure.
I couldn’t believe my eyes
You can imagine my surprise,
He had buried, secret, hidden treasure.
Who Took The Shamrock?
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Who Took The Cookies From The Cookie Jar”
Teacher: Who took the shamrock from the leprechaun? Child� name took the shamrock from the leprechaun!
Child: Who me?
Class: Yes, you!
Child: Couldn�t be!
Class: Then who?
Child: Child�s name took the shamrock from the leprechaun!