How do you play "Where Is Thumbkin?"?

As a finger-play. Both hands start hidden behind your back. When the song asks "Where is Thumbkin?", out come your thumbs — "Here I am!" — and they greet each other politely before running away again. You work through all five fingers: Thumbkin (thumb), Pointer (index), Tall Man (middle), Ring Man (ring finger) and Pinkie (little finger).

What tune is "Where Is Thumbkin?" sung to?

To the melody of "Frère Jacques" (the tune of "Are You Sleeping, Brother John?"). The words are set to that familiar round, which makes it simple for little children to follow.

Where does "Where Is Thumbkin?" come from?

Its origin is not documented. Mama Lisa's World files it under the United States, and Wikipedia describes it as an American children's song sung to the tune of "Frère Jacques"; neither names an author or gives a date for it, and we found no earlier printing. The page lists it as American on that basis and no more.

What is "Where Is Thumbkin?" good for?

Learning the names of the fingers and practising moving them one at a time. The hide-and-reveal game — each finger appearing and disappearing — also keeps very young children delighted and engaged.

United States · sung in English

Where Is Thumbkin?

"Where Is Thumbkin?" is an English finger-play sung to the tune of "Frère Jacques", in which each finger — Thumbkin, Pointer, Tall Man, Ring Man and Pinkie — pops up, says hello, and hides away again.

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Lyrics

Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin? Here I am, here I am. How are you today, sir? Very well, I thank you. Run away, run away.

Where is Pointer?… Where is Tall Man?… Where is Ring Man?… Where is Pinkie?… Where is the whole family?…

Country of origin: 🇺🇸 United States
Sung in: English
Words by: Traditional
First known: Origin undocumented; filed under the United States by Mama Lisa's World and described as of American origin by Wikipedia
Best for ages: 2–7
Mood: playful, traditional
Last updated: 27 August 2026

How to sing it

Hide both hands behind your back to start.
On "Here I am", bring out one thumb at a time, then make them "bow" to each other as they chat.
On "Run away", whisk each hand back behind you — then repeat for each finger in turn.

Meaning and origin

This is a finger-play with a small lesson in politeness built in. The hands begin hidden behind the back; when the song calls for Thumbkin, out pop the thumbs with a cheerful “Here I am!”, and they exchange courtesies — How are you today, sir? Very well, I thank you — before running away again. Then it is Pointer’s turn, and Tall Man’s, and Ring Man’s, and Pinkie’s, until at last the whole family comes out together.

Like several nursery favourites, it rides on the tune of “Frère Jacques”, which is why children pick it up so fast. No author is recorded, and its origin is not documented: Mama Lisa’s World files it under the United States and Wikipedia calls it American, but neither gives a date, and we found no earlier printing. Its usefulness, though, is plain: it teaches the names of the fingers, gives practice in moving each one on its own, and wraps the whole thing in a game of hide-and-seek that small children never tire of.

Common questions

How do you play "Where Is Thumbkin?"?: As a finger-play. Both hands start hidden behind your back. When the song asks "Where is Thumbkin?", out come your thumbs — "Here I am!" — and they greet each other politely before running away again. You work through all five fingers: Thumbkin (thumb), Pointer (index), Tall Man (middle), Ring Man (ring finger) and Pinkie (little finger).
What tune is "Where Is Thumbkin?" sung to?: To the melody of "Frère Jacques" (the tune of "Are You Sleeping, Brother John?"). The words are set to that familiar round, which makes it simple for little children to follow.
Where does "Where Is Thumbkin?" come from?: Its origin is not documented. Mama Lisa's World files it under the United States, and Wikipedia describes it as an American children's song sung to the tune of "Frère Jacques"; neither names an author or gives a date for it, and we found no earlier printing. The page lists it as American on that basis and no more.
What is "Where Is Thumbkin?" good for?: Learning the names of the fingers and practising moving them one at a time. The hide-and-reveal game — each finger appearing and disappearing — also keeps very young children delighted and engaged.

Lyrics