Singing Games Activity Book - Miss Mary Mac

The Singing Games Activity Book presents the charming clapping game "Miss Mary Mac," an engaging song and rhythm activity designed for children. The lyrics of the song tell a playful story about Miss Mary Mac, adorned in black attire with silver buttons lining her back. As the verses unfold, the song humorously narrates Miss Mary Mac's inability to read or write, but her peculiar talent for smoking her father's pipe. The story continues with her request for money to witness an elephant's improbable feat of climbing a fence, an event so extraordinary that the elephant doesn't return until the fourth of July. The final verse takes a comical turn as Miss Mary Mac ascends the stairs, only to bump her head, leading to an exaggerated conclusion of her demise.

This traditional game is not only fun to sing but also incorporates a series of eight clapping actions that are repeated with each verse, adding a physical element to the performance. It can be played by two people facing each other or in a larger group arranged in a circle. The actions include crossing arms over the chest, slapping thighs, and a sequence of claps exchanged between partners or neighbours. These movements require coordination and rhythm, making "Miss Mary Mac" a delightful way to combine music, physical activity, and social interaction among children.