# Ringa raja

"Ringa raja" is the Slovenian ring-dance song — the local cousin of "Ring a Ring o' Roses" — in which children hold hands and circle; this version adds farmyard animals and a verse about Grandfather Frost bringing gifts.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Slovenia |
| Sung in | Slovenian |
| Words by | Traditional |
| First known | traditional Slovenian ring-dance; author unknown |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | dancing, playful, traditional |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/ringa-raja/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (sl)

1. Ringa, ringa raja,
muca pa nagaja,
kuža pa priteče,
pa vse na tla pomeče.
Kokot kikiriče,
čipke, čopke kliče,
putka kokodajsa,
ker bo znesla jajca.

### Verse 2 (sl)

2. Ringa, ringa raja,
dedek mraz prihaja,
prinesel bo bombone
in pisane balone.

### Verse 3 (sl)

Mamici copate,
očku tri kravate,
meni pa sani
za dolge zimske dni.

### Verse 4 (sl)

Lani je obljubil,
da ne bo zamudil,
ko sonce bo zašlo,
bo prišel čez goro.

### English translation (en)

1. Ring, ring around,
the kitty's playing up,
the doggy runs up
and knocks it all to the ground.
The rooster crows,
calls the little chicks,
the hen goes cluck-cluck,
for she's about to lay eggs.

2. Ring, ring around,
Grandfather Frost is coming,
he will bring sweets
and colourful balloons.

Slippers for mummy,
three ties for daddy,
and a sledge for me
for the long winter days.

Last year he promised
that he wouldn't be late:
when the sun goes down,
he'll come over the mountain.

## How to sing it

1. Hold hands in a circle and dance round on "Ringa, ringa raja".
2. Act out the animals — the cat playing up, the dog knocking things over, the rooster crowing.
3. In the winter verse, mime the gifts Grandfather Frost brings, then circle again.

## Common questions

**What is "Ringa raja"?**

A ring-dance song — the Slovenian version of the circle game English speakers know as "Ring a Ring o' Roses". Children join hands and dance round in a ring. This version fills the circle with a mischievous cat, a dog that knocks everything over, and a crowing rooster and clucking hen.

**Why is there a verse about Grandfather Frost?**

Because the song has grown extra verses over time. One popular set turns to winter and Dedek Mraz (Grandfather Frost), who is coming over the mountain when the sun sets to bring sweets, balloons and gifts — slippers for mum, ties for dad, a sledge for the child.

**Where is "Ringa raja" from?**

It is a traditional Slovenian children's ring-dance with no known author, part of a family of circle games sung across Europe, and passed down with many added verses.

## Sources

- [Besedilo.si — Ringa, ringa raja (otroška)](https://besedilo.si/otroska/ringa-ringa-raja)