Salute to the Captain

I’m a girl guide all dressed in blue, / Here are the actions I must do…

I’m a girl guide all dressed in blue,
Here are the actions I must do.
Salute to the Captain,
Bow to the Queen,
Turn right round
and count to sixteen.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ......

How to play

The skipper does each action as it is sung, then counts to sixteen.

Where this rhyme comes from

Earliest record: after 1910
Sung in: UK, Ireland, Commonwealth

The Girl Guides were founded in 1910, so this rhyme comes after that. 'Bow to the Queen' suggests this wording dates from after 1952 in Britain, though it may have been 'the King' earlier. We haven't found a dated record of it yet.

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

More rhymes like this

ActionsPepper (fast)by 1916Cobbler Mend my ShoeCobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe.
Have it done by half past two…ActionsPepper (fast)Red Hot PepperPoliceman, policeman, stop that thief!
Make him jump without relief…Actionsby 1916Mademoiselle at the WellMademoiselle went to the well,
Combed her hair and brushed it well…ActionsLords and LadiesLords and Ladies,
Children, too…ActionsHigh KicksHey, (celebrity’s name).
How about a date…ActionsCowboy JoeCowboy Joe from Mexico,
Hands up, stick’em up…