Bus Song Origin

How Did “The Wheels On The Bus” Begin?

The children’s song “The Wheels On The Bus” was originated back in 1939 by a lady named Verna Hills of Boston Massachusetts. There are some reports stating that the author of the song is unknown. No one really knows exactly why, when and by who the song was written. It has been assumed that the song was written to keep children calm while sitting on the bus. The actual date that the book was written is unknown. There is no known date of when this song was written and/or published. The popular children’s song is based on “How We Go Round The Mulberry Bush.”

Boston Massachusetts in 1939

Boston, MA is the origins of the children’s song. There were 3 major events that made history during this time. The Housewives League of Boston was founded this year. The Holy Name Church was built. The Wheelock College was incorporated that year. In the mid-1900s Boston began to fall because major industrial factories relocated to places that provided cheaper labor sources. July 4, 1939, Jim Tabor of the Boston Red Sox hits 2 grand slams in 1 game.Ellison Brown of Rhode Island won the 43rd Boston Marathon. The Housewives League of Boston was founded in order to create more job opportunities for African American citizens. The unemployment rate for African Americans were at 50% in 1939. Italian men won their first seats with the city government.

How The Song Is Used For Teaching Children

The children’s song is used in many different ways of teaching from school, to parenting and to riding on the church bus. Music helps a child learn easier and faster. The words in the song help children learn phonics as well as differences and similarities between cars and buses. The children’s song is used in ESL and many other different language classes today to help children learn the English language. This song is also a good song to help children use to role play. The wheels on the bus full song lyrics allows children to get up, move around the classroom and also helps them engage their imaginations. The children are able to use visuals to help them learn the parts of a bus and how it operates.

Popular Children’s Song

This children’s song became very popular in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. The song is used on long road trips to keep children amused a lot of times. There have been many many different verses that have been added to the children’s song over the years by parents, teachers, grandparents, churches, etc. The song has been changed in many different ways including: only having 1 verse, having more bus sounds, switching the bus to a bike, having different directions and a version about wipers and passengers to name a few. Books with pop ups, regular books, cds, and videos have been made for this popular song over the years. The song has a repetitive rhythm that allows a lot of people to join in on the song.

Interesting Facts

Michelle Chappel (Madonna Impersonator), used the popular children’s song for one of her hits on her record in 2002 which made the charts in Europe and the UK. The popular children’s song has billions of views on YouTube. There is a version of the song that sings about road safety. There are many different versions of this popular song made into a book. There is even a Halloween version of this popular book.