Postman Knocking

Early in the morning at half past eight, / I heard the postman knocking at the gate…

Counting Actions Call a friend inLong rope

Early in the morning at half past eight,
I heard the postman knocking at the gate.
Up jumps (name) to open the door,
How many letters fell on the floor?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ......

How to play

The skipper pretends to bend down and pick up letters from the floor with each turn of the rope.

Where this rhyme comes from

Earliest record: by 1916
Sung in: UK (London)

Douglas recorded a London chant about a girl running to the door when the postman knocks and getting letters, but didn't label it as a skipping rhyme. The 'how many letters?' counting ending isn't dated.

Sources: Norman Douglas, London Street Games (1916), p.77.

Do you know an older version, or where this rhyme comes from? Teachers can tell us with the feedback button below.

Older and newer versions

The same rhyme, changed by children over the years.

In and outCountingPrinted 1898Every Morning at Eight O'ClockEvery morning at eight o'clock,
You all may hear the postman's knock…

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