Brown Girl in the Ring (song) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids "Brown Girl in the Ring"
Single by Boney M.
from the album Nightflight to Venus
A-side	"Rivers of Babylon"
Released	3 April 1978
Recorded	1978
Length	4:03
Label	Hansa (FRG) Sire (US) Atlantic (AUS)
Songwriter(s)	Frank Farian
Producer(s)	Frank Farian
Boney M. singles chronology
"Belfast" (1977) "Brown Girl in the Ring" (1978) "Rasputin" (1978)

"Brown Girl in the Ring (Remix '93)"
Single by Boney M.
from the album Gold – 20 Super Hits
Released	1 April 1993
Label	BMG (FRG)
Songwriter(s)	Franz Reuther (Frank Farian)
Producer(s)	Frank Farian
Boney M. singles chronology
"Megamix" (1992) "Brown Girl in the Ring (Remix '93)" (1993) "Ma Baker (Remix)" (1993)

"Brown Girl in the Ring" is a classic children's song from the Caribbean. It started as a game song, likely from Jamaica.

This fun song became famous worldwide in 1978. That's when the popular music group Boney M. recorded it. It was first released as the "B-side" of their big hit "Rivers of Babylon". But soon, "Brown Girl in the Ring" became a huge hit all on its own!

Other artists had recorded the song before Boney M. For example, a musician from the Bahamas named Exuma recorded it in 1972.

The Song's History

Children all over the world play "ring games." These are games where kids stand in a circle and sing songs. The song "Brown Girl in the Ring" is one of these traditional ring games. It helps kids learn to play together and have fun.

Boney M.'s Famous Version

The most well-known version of "Brown Girl in the Ring" is by Boney M.. When it first came out in 1978, it was on the back of their number-one song, "Rivers of Babylon".

In the summer of 1978, "Rivers of Babylon" was a huge hit in the UK. It spent five weeks at number one! After a while, radio stations started playing "Brown Girl in the Ring" more often. People loved it so much that the single went back up the charts! It reached number two in September.

One of Boney M.'s singers, Liz Mitchell, had actually recorded the song before. She sang it in 1975 with a group called Malcolm's Locks.

The single "Rivers of Babylon/Brown Girl in the Ring" is one of the best-selling singles ever in the UK. It sold over 2 million copies!

The 1993 Remix

Years later, in 1993, "Brown Girl in the Ring" got a fresh new sound. The song's producer, Frank Farian, created a new remix. This version featured new singing by Liz Mitchell.

The 1993 remix was also popular. It reached number 6 in Denmark and number 38 in the UK. This shows how much people still loved the song, even years later!

Other Recordings

Many artists have recorded "Brown Girl in the Ring" over the years:

• Lord Invader, a singer from Trinidad, recorded a version around 1946–1947. You can find his recording in the Smithsonian Folkways collection.
• Jamaican poet and singer Louise Bennett recorded the song in 1957. It was part of her album of Jamaican children's songs and games.

Song Charts

1978 Boney M. Version

1993 Remix

Images for kids

• 

  The cover for the 1993 remix single.

• Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics