The ants go marching one by one. Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching one by one. Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching one by one,
the little one stopped to suck his thumb,
and they all go marching down,
[Where?] To the ground!
[Why?] To get out of the rain, bum bum bum...

The ants go marching two by two. Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching two by two. Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching two by two,
the little one stopped to tie his shoe,
and they all go marching down,
[Where?] To the ground!
[Why?] To get out of the rain, bum bum bum...

(then it repeats, counting up, usually making up what the little one does)

one = suck his thumb
two = tie his shoe
three = bump his knee
four = shut the door
five = do a jive or steal a hive
six = pick up sticks
seven = look up to heaven
eight = shut the gate
nine = climb a pine