“Row, Row, Row Your Boat”: A Nursery Rhyme

Introduction: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

“Row, Row, Row Your Boat” is a timeless and iconic children’s song that has been delighting kids and adults alike for generations. With its gentle melody and soothing lyrics, this classic ditty has become a staple of childhood, evoking images of peaceful streams, lazy summer days, and the simple joys of life. First published in the 1850s, this beloved song has undergone many variations and adaptations, yet its core message of serenity and contentment remains unchanged, continuing to captivate audiences around the world.

Text: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

Row, row, row your boat
Gently up the creek
If you see a little mouse
Don’t forget to squeak!

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
If you see a crocodile
Don’t forget to scream!

Row, row, row your boat
Gently to the shore
If you see a lion
Don’t forget to roar!

Annotations: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

Line	Annotation
1	“Row, row, row your boat” – This line serves as the main refrain of the song, emphasizing the action of rowing.
2	“Gently up the creek” – Describes the gentle motion of rowing the boat upstream in a peaceful manner.
3	“If you see a little mouse” – Introduces a playful element, suggesting the possibility of encountering a mouse while rowing.
4	“Don’t forget to squeak!” – Playfully encourages the reader to mimic the sound of a mouse by squeaking.
5	“Row, row, row your boat” – Repeats the main refrain, reinforcing the central theme of rowing.
6	“Gently down the stream” – Describes the calm movement of rowing the boat downstream with the flow of the stream.
7	“If you see a crocodile” – Adds a sense of adventure by suggesting the possibility of encountering a crocodile.
8	“Don’t forget to scream!” – Playfully suggests reacting with a scream if one encounters a crocodile, adding humor to the verse.
9	“Row, row, row your boat” – Recurrence of the refrain, maintaining the rhythmic structure of the song.
10	“Gently to the shore” – Indicates the gentle approach of rowing the boat towards the safety of the shore.
11	“If you see a lion” – Introduces another adventurous element, imagining the possibility of encountering a lion.
12	“Don’t forget to roar!” – Encourages the reader to participate by roaring like a lion, adding an interactive and fun aspect to the verse.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”.

1. Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds, e.g., “row, row, row”.
2. Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds, e.g., “gently up the creek”.
3. Hyperbole: Exaggeration for emphasis, e.g., “don’t forget to squeak” (one might not actually squeak at a mouse).
4. Imagery: Vivid descriptions of sensory experiences, e.g., “little mouse”, “crocodile”, “lion”.
5. Irony: Contrast between expected and actual events, e.g., screaming at a crocodile (not a typical response).
6. Meter: Pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, e.g., “Row, row, row your boat” (trochaic meter).
7. Onomatopoeia: Words imitating sounds they describe, e.g., “squeak”, “scream”, “roar”.
8. Personification: Attributing human qualities to non-human entities, e.g., “don’t forget to squeak” (as if the speaker is addressing the boat).
9. Refrain: Repeated phrase or line, e.g., “Row, row, row your boat”.
10. Repetition: Repeated words or phrases, e.g., “row, row, row”, “don’t forget to”.
11. Rhyme: End rhymes, e.g., “creek” and “squeak”, “stream” and “scream”.
12. Satire: Humorous critique of human behavior, e.g., the absurdity of screaming at a crocodile.
13. Simile: Comparing two unlike things, e.g., “gently up the creek” (comparing boat to a gentle movement).
14. Symbolism: Using objects to represent abstract ideas, e.g., boat and water may symbolize life’s journey.
15. Wordplay: Using words in a playful or clever way, e.g., “don’t forget to squeak” (using a mouse’s sound to create humor).

Themes: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

• Theme 1: Life’s Journey
  The poem explores the idea of life’s journey, using the boat and water as metaphors. The speaker encourages the reader to “row, row, row” their boat, suggesting a sense of progress and movement through life’s challenges. The gentle and peaceful tone of the poem suggests a smooth and serene journey, with the speaker urging the reader to enjoy the ride.
• Theme 2: Humor and Whimsy
  The poem uses humor and whimsy to create a playful tone, with the speaker instructing the reader to “squeak” at a mouse and “scream” at a crocodile. These absurd responses to encountering wildlife add a lighthearted and comedic touch to the poem, making it a delightful and entertaining read.
• Theme 3: Courage and Resilience
  The poem also explores the themes of courage and resilience, as the speaker encourages the reader to face their fears and overcome obstacles. The image of the boat navigating through the water, despite encountering a crocodile, suggests a sense of determination and bravery. The speaker’s urging to “row, row, row” despite challenges suggests a resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
• Theme 4: Imagination and Creativity
  Finally, the poem celebrates the power of imagination and creativity, using vivid imagery and fantastical scenarios to create a sense of wonder and enchantment. The speaker’s use of imaginative language, such as “gently up the creek” and “little mouse”, creates a sense of fantasy and play, encouraging the reader to engage their imagination and creativity.

Literary Theories and “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

1. New Criticism (Formalist Theory): New Criticism emphasizes close reading of the text itself, focusing on literary devices, structure, and themes within the work. In “Row Row Row Your Boat,” the repetition of the phrase “Row, row, row your boat” serves as a structural element, reinforcing the central theme of perseverance and journeying through life’s challenges. Each stanza presents a new encounter with animals along the way, creating a playful and rhythmic narrative. Additionally, the use of imperative verbs (“squeak,” “scream,” “roar”) encourages reader participation and engagement with the text.
2. Reader-Response Theory: Reader-Response Theory focuses on the role of the reader in interpreting and creating meaning from a text. In “Row Row Row Your Boat,” readers may interpret the encounters with the mouse, crocodile, and lion as metaphors for different obstacles or dangers one might encounter in life’s journey. The reader’s personal experiences and cultural background may influence how they perceive these encounters and the overall message of the poem. For example, someone who fears the unknown may see the crocodile as representing danger, while someone else may interpret it as symbolizing resilience or bravery.
3. Psychoanalytic Criticism: Psychoanalytic Criticism explores the unconscious motivations and desires of characters or authors within a literary work. In “Row Row Row Your Boat,” one could apply this theory to analyze the underlying themes of fear and courage. The encounters with the mouse, crocodile, and lion may represent the protagonist’s internal struggles or fears as they navigate life’s journey. For instance, the mouse could symbolize innocence and vulnerability, the crocodile could symbolize primal instincts or hidden dangers, and the lion could symbolize strength and assertiveness. By confronting and overcoming these symbolic challenges, the protagonist demonstrates psychological growth and resilience.

Critical Questions about “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

• How does the repetition of the refrain contribute to the poem’s meaning and structure?
• The repetition of the refrain “Row, row, row your boat” serves as a structural and thematic anchor throughout the poem. It establishes a rhythmic pattern that mirrors the action of rowing and reinforces the central theme of perseverance and progression. Each repetition acts as a refrain, linking the stanzas together and emphasizing the continuous journey depicted in the poem. For example, in the first stanza, the repetition creates a sense of rhythm and movement as the boat is gently rowed “up the creek.” Similarly, in the second stanza, the refrain is repeated as the boat is rowed “down the stream,” maintaining the rhythmic flow of the poem.
• What role do the encounters with different animals play in the thematic development of the poem?
• The encounters with the mouse, crocodile, and lion serve as symbolic challenges or obstacles encountered along life’s journey, contributing to the thematic development of the poem. Each animal encounter presents a different scenario requiring a specific response, adding depth to the exploration of courage and resilience. For instance, the encounter with the mouse encourages playfulness and spontaneity, as indicated by the instruction to “squeak.” In contrast, the encounter with the crocodile introduces a sense of danger or threat, prompting the reader to “scream” in response. Finally, the encounter with the lion highlights the need for assertiveness and strength, as exemplified by the instruction to “roar.”
• How does the poem invite reader engagement and participation through its interactive elements?
• The poem actively engages the reader through its use of imperative verbs and playful instructions, inviting participation and interaction with the text. By prompting readers to imagine themselves in the scenario and respond accordingly, the poem fosters a sense of immersion and agency. For example, the instruction to “squeak” when encountering the mouse encourages readers to actively engage their imaginations and vocalize the sound of a mouse. Similarly, the instructions to “scream” and “roar” in response to the crocodile and lion, respectively, prompt readers to express emotions and reactions, further enhancing their involvement in the narrative.

Literary Works Similar to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

1. “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat” by Edward Lear: This poem follows the whimsical journey of an owl and a pussy-cat as they set sail in a pea-green boat to get married. Like “Row Row Row Your Boat,” it features repetitive phrases and a lighthearted tone, creating a delightful and memorable narrative.
2. “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod” by Eugene Field: “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod” tells the story of three children sailing off to a magical land in a wooden shoe, guided by the stars. With its dreamy imagery and rhythmic cadence, this poem shares a sense of adventure and imagination akin to “Row Row Row Your Boat.”
3. “The Quangle Wangle’s Hat” by Edward Lear: Another poem by Edward Lear, “The Quangle Wangle’s Hat” is a nonsensical and imaginative piece featuring fantastical creatures and vivid imagery. Its playful language and whimsical tone evoke a similar sense of wonder and joy as “Row Row Row Your Boat.”
4. “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll: “Jabberwocky” is a famous poem from Carroll’s novel “Through the Looking-Glass,” featuring invented words and nonsensical language. While more complex in its language, it shares a similar sense of playful whimsy and imaginative storytelling with “Row Row Row Your Boat.”
5. “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes: “The Highwayman” is a narrative poem that tells the story of a highwayman’s love for a landlord’s daughter and his tragic fate. While tonally different from “Row Row Row Your Boat,” it shares themes of adventure, romance, and the journey through life’s challenges. Its rhythmic and evocative language makes it a compelling read akin to the playful spirit of the nursery rhyme.

Suggested Readings: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

• Niland, Amanda. “‘Row, row, row your boat’: singing, identity and belonging in a nursery.” International Journal of Early Years Education 23.1 (2015): 4-16.
• Mulcahy, Rory, and Edwina Luck. “Row! Row! Row your boat! Transformative value cocreation and codestruction in elite and Olympic rowers.” Journal of Sport Management 34.4 (2020): 354-366.
• Garner, Daisy. “Row, row, row your boat: A peak inside club rowing team.” UWIRE Text (2020): 1-1.

Representative Quotations “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

Quotation	Context	Literary Theoretical Perspective
“Row, row, row your boat”	The opening line, setting the tone and theme of the poem.	Structuralism: The repetition of “row” creates a structural pattern, emphasizing the rhythm and unity of the poem.
“Gently up the creek”	The speaker describes the boat’s movement, creating a peaceful atmosphere.	Romanticism: The use of “gently” and “creek” creates a vivid image of a serene and idyllic natural setting, characteristic of Romantic poetry.
“If you see a little mouse / Don’t forget to squeak!”	The speaker instructs the reader to respond to a mouse, adding humor and whimsy.	Absurdism: The absurd response to a mouse creates a playful and nonsensical tone, characteristic of Absurdist literature.
“If you see a crocodile / Don’t forget to scream!”	The speaker instructs the reader to respond to a crocodile, highlighting courage and resilience.	Symbolism: The crocodile may symbolize a fearsome obstacle, and the speaker’s instruction to scream represents the need to confront and overcome challenges.
“Row, row, row your boat / Gently to the shore”	The final lines, emphasizing the journey’s end and the importance of perseverance.	Journey Motif: The boat’s journey represents a common literary motif, symbolizing life’s journey and the importance of persistence and determination.