# Auf der Donau wollen wir fahren

"Auf der Donau wollen wir fahren" is a short German circle game in which a little boat on the Danube is named after one child, who then joins the ride — a simple, name-filling game for a group of children.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Germany |
| Sung in | German |
| Words by | Traditional |
| First known | traditional circle game; author unknown |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | dancing, playful |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/auf-der-donau-wollen-wir-fahren/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (de)

Auf der Donau woll'n wir fahren
wo das Schifflein sich dreht.
Und das Schifflein heißt (Name)
und der/die (Name) fährt mit.

### English translation (en)

On the Danube we want to sail,
where the little boat turns round.
And the little boat is called (Name),
and (Name) comes along for the ride.

## Common questions

**How is "Auf der Donau wollen wir fahren" played?**

As a naming circle game. The children pretend to sail a little boat on the Danube; the boat is given one child's name, and that child then "comes along" — usually stepping into the middle of the ring or joining the leader — before the game repeats with the next name.

**What is the Donau?**

The Donau is the Danube, one of Europe's great rivers, which flows through southern Germany and on across central Europe. Here it is simply the setting for the imaginary boat ride.

**Who wrote "Auf der Donau wollen wir fahren"?**

No author or origin is recorded for this version. It is a traditional children's circle game of the kind passed on by ear in playgroups, where the blank "(Name)" is filled with each child in turn.

## Sources

- [Liederfarm — Auf der Donau wolln wir fahren](https://liederfarm.de/auf-der-donau-wolln-wir-fahren.html)
- [Heilpädagogik-Info — Auf der Donau (Kontaktlied)](https://heilpaedagogik-info.de/kinderlieder/lieder-menschen-tiere/270-auf-der-donau-kontaktlied)