# I’m a Little Teapot
| Rights | Words by George H. Sanders and Clarence Z. Kelley, in copyright; reproduced with credit, no reuse licence obtained |

“I’m a Little Teapot” is a 1939 American action song by George H. Sanders and Clarence Z. Kelley; its words and music remain copyrighted, with current licensing records naming Marilyn Sanders O’Bradovich d/b/a Marilyn Sanders Music as the copyright owner.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Sung in | English |
| Words by | George H. Sanders and Clarence Z. Kelley |
| First known | 1939 copyright registration; 1941 sheet-music edition |
| Best for ages | 2–5 |
| Mood | dancing, playful, educational |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/i-m-a-little-teapot/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (en)

I’m a little teapot, short and stout;
Here is my handle, and here is my spout;
When I get all steamed up, then I shout;
Tip me over, pour me out.

## How to sing it

1. Stand with one hand on your hip to make a handle and curve the other arm outward to make a spout.
2. Bend your knees gently while pretending the teapot is warming, keeping enough room between children.
3. Lean sideways slowly as if pouring, then return upright before changing sides.

## Common questions

**Who owns the rights to “I’m a Little Teapot”?**

The song was written by George H. Sanders and Clarence Z. Kelley and copyrighted in 1939. The current licensing record consulted for this page names Marilyn Sanders O’Bradovich d/b/a Marilyn Sanders Music as publisher and 100% owner; permission should be obtained there before reproducing the complete words or music.

**May I reuse the lyrics shown on this page?**

No reuse licence is granted by their appearance here. The complete classroom stanza was supplied for this entry, but the song is not treated as traditional or public domain; anyone republishing, arranging or commercially using it should obtain the appropriate permission.

**When was the song published?**

The U.S. Copyright Office record dates the registration to 1939, and a 1957 children's hymnal reprint indexed by Hymnary carries the notice “© 1939, Kelman Music Corporation”. The Morgan Library catalogs a New York sheet-music edition published by Kelman Music Corporation in 1941, possibly the first sheet-music edition.

## Sources

- [U.S. Copyright Office — 1939 registration application card](https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/application-card/CC19381945EP_77200-78999.0492)
- [Morgan Library & Museum — I’m a little teapot sheet music record](https://www.themorgan.org/music-manuscripts-and-printed-music/150790)
- [Hymnary — Children’s Hymnal A-18](https://hymnary.org/hymn/CH1957/A-18)
- [Easy Song — copyright-holder and licensing record](https://www.easysong.com/search/songs/song-copyright-holder-information.aspx?s=46229)