John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt facts for kids
"John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt" is a traditional children's song that comes from the United States and Canada. This fun song has one verse that repeats, usually four times. Each time, singers might make it louder or softer, or faster or slower, which makes it a great song for groups!
Contents
Singing the Song
The words to "John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt" are simple and easy to remember.
John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt His name is my name, too Whenever we go out The people always shout There goes John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt Da-da-da-da la-la-la-la
John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt His name is my name, too Whenever we go out The people always shout There goes John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt Da-da-da-da la-la-la-la
John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt His name is my name, too Whenever we go out The people always shout There goes John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt Da-da-da-da la-la-la-la-la
Where the Song Came From
The exact beginning of "John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt" is a bit of a mystery. Some clues suggest it started in old theater shows around the late 1800s and early 1900s. These shows were popular with many different communities, especially immigrants.
The song is similar to another old song called "My Name Is Jan Jansen." That song came from Swedish theater around the same time.
Becoming Popular
"John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt" became very well-known by the middle of the 1900s. It got a big boost when it was sung at scout gatherings across the country. This happened in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
For example, a newspaper in Indiana reported in 1926 about Girl Scouts singing it around a campfire. In 1927, a newspaper in Ohio mentioned boys from a YMCA camp singing the song. A 1931 article from New York also talked about Boy Scouts singing "John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith" (a slightly different title) at a gathering. These stories show how popular the song was becoming in camps.
Repetitive Songs
This song is known for being very repetitive. This means it can go on and on, just like "The Song That Never Ends" or "Michael Finnegan." This makes it fun for groups to sing together.
Versions of the song also exist in other languages. For example, in Spanish, there is a similar song called "Juan Paco Pedro de la Mar."
Where You Might Have Heard It
"John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt" has appeared in many TV shows and movies over the years.
- In 1977, characters Richie Cunningham, Potsie, and Ralph Malph sang it on the TV show Happy Days.
- The musician Daddy Dewdrop released a version of the song in 1971.
- It was featured in the 1994 film In the Army Now.
- The song appeared in the 1997 movie RocketMan.
- You might have heard it in Disney's The Kid (2000) or Recess: School's Out (2001).
- It was also in the 2005 movie The Pacifier.
- The song was sung in an episode of The Andy Griffith Show in 1964.
- In the TV show Psych (2010), a character uses a similar name, leading to a funny moment about the song.
- Robin Williams' character in the 1995 movie To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar is named John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt.
- The characters on Mystery Science Theater 3000 often sing parts of the song.
- In the TV series Mr. Mercedes (2019), a character uses the song to calm down during a panic attack.
- On King of the Hill, Bobby Hill explains a bit about the character from the song.
- Elmo and other characters sang it in the Sesame Street home video Kids' Favorite Songs.
- The song is heard in an episode of the show Bunk'd.
- It is also featured in the kids' show Cocomelon.
