Jack Be Nimble is a traditional English nursery rhyme and a popular children’s game.
The rhyme is often accompanied by a simple game where children mimic Jack by attempting to jump over an imaginary candlestick or a real one if it’s safe.
The goal is to showcase one’s agility and quickness in jumping over the obstacle.
Though the origin of the nursery rhyme is uncertain, it dates back several centuries.
Some accounts believe the song is about an agile pirate of the Caribbean named Jack who would jump over things as he escaped from the authorities.
Lyrics for Jack Nimble
There are many versions of the song and here is the original:
Jack be nimble
Jack be quick
Jack jump over the candlestick
The following are some verses that have been added more recently which make the rhyme even more fun to sing and play games to:
Jack be nimble
Jack be quick
Jack jump over the candlestick
Jack be nimble
Jack be hasty
Jack jump over the burger, tasty
Jack be nimble
Jack be agile
Jack jump over the box marked ‘fragile’
Jack be nimble
Jack good luck
Jack jump over the icecream truck
Jack be nimble
Jack, you can
Jack jump over the camper van
Jack be nimble
Jack be fast
Jack jump over the blowup raft
Jack be nimble
Jack be plain
Jack jump over the wrecking crane
Jack be nimble
Jack be pretty
Jack jump over the great big city
Jack be nimble
Jack be spry
Jack jump over the mountains high
Jack be nimble
Jack be fun
Jack jump all the way to the sun
Jack be nimble
Jack be clever
Jack jump over things forever