The Ukulele Song (Oo-koo-leh-leh)
Note: This can be played with a simple strum – whatever is comfortable for you!
This is also a fun song to teach the Hawaiian word UKULELE (pronounced Oo-Koo-Leh-Leh – not too emphasized – a little soft on the Leh-Leh)
Fun fact: the Hawaiian alphabet does not have the YEW sound for the vowel “U” – this vowel in Hawaiian is pronounced OO!
UKU (Oo-Koo) means “flea”
LELE (Leh-Leh) means “jumping”
As one of the stories go, a long time ago, when this little instrument from Portugal was introduced to people of Hawaii, skilled ukulele players played so quickly it seemed like fleas were jumping across the fretboard!
Movements to incorporate: strumming your pretend ukulele, bumping your hips side to side, jumping like fleas, and getting itchy, itchy (all over)
Finally, here's the song and ukulele chords!
Opening with Hawaiian Vamp (Capo on 2nd fret): D7 / G7 / C (2X)
OR SIMPLE OPENING TO SONG:
Count off:
1 – 2 , 1 – 2 – 3!
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
C C
(Bump-Bump)
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
G7 G7
(Bump-Bump)
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
F F
(Bump-Bump)
C G7 C
Ukulele means jumping flea
(REPEAT)
Bridge:
F
Oh, jumping flea
C
Don't jump on me
F
For if you do
G7
I get so itchy, itchy!
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
C C
(Bump-Bump)
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
G7 G7
(Bump-Bump)
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
F F
(Bump-Bump)
C G7 C
Ukulele means jumping flea
SPOKEN:
(STRUM ON C)
Now, are you strumming your ukulele?
Are you jumping like fleas?
Are you getting so itchy, itchy?
Well, here we go!
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
C C
(Bump-Bump)
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
G7 G7
(Bump-Bump)
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
F F
(Bump-Bump)
C G7 C
Ukulele means jumping flea
(REPEAT 1X)
Bridge:
F
Oh, jumping flea
C
Don't jump on me
F
For if you do
G7
I get so itchy, itchy!
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
C C
(Bump-Bump)
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
G7 G7
(Bump-Bump)
C C
Ukulele, ukulele
F F
(Bump-Bump)
C G7 C
Ukulele means jumping flea
Ending:
C G7 C
Ukulele don't jump on me
C G7 C
Ukulele, ukulele, ukulele!
SIMPLE ENDING CHORDS:
G7 / C
OR END WITH HAWAIIAN VAMP:
D7 / G7 / C
