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A trio of ants

The Busy Prepositions

Busy Prepositions is a song from Grammar Rock. It was performed by Bob Dorough and Jack Sheldon. The episode was aired on ABC's Saturday morning block in the '90s.

Grammar Rock[]

  • A horde of working insects called "The Busy P's" teach about prepositions while on the job.
  • This song, along with The Tale of Mr. Morton, did not make it into the updated official guide. 

Lyrics[]

BOB: Like a butterfly, or a like bee

Like an ant, as busy as can be

These little words we call the "busy P's"

JACK: Prepositions

BOB: Nine or ten of them Do most all of the work

JACK: Of, on, to, with, in, from By, for, at, over, across!

BOB: And many others do their jobs, Which is simply to connect Their noun or pronoun object To some other word in the sentence.

Busy p's, If you please.

JACK: "On the top is where you are!"

BOB: Top relates to where you are.

JACK: "With a friend, you'll travel far!"

BOB: With a friend you'll go.

JACK: "If you try you know that you can fly Over the rainbow!"

BOB: Over the rainbow is where you can fly.

BOB: Busy prepositions, Always on the go. Like a bunch of busy bees, Floating pollen on the breeze. Buzzing over the meadows, Beyond the forest, Through the trees, Into the beehive. Busy, busy P's

JACK: In, too, beyond, over, on, through!

BOB: Busy prepositions always out in front, On the edges, in the crack. 'Round the corner, from the back. In between the action. Stating clearly to your satisfaction, The location and direction. Prepositions give specific information.

JACK: Though little words they are, They never stand alone

BOB: Gathering words behind them, You soon will see how they have grown Into a parade; a prepositional phrase. With a noun, or at least a pronoun, bringing up the rear. A little phrase of two or three or four or more words.

JACK: Prepositions! Attention! Forward, March!

BOB: Busy prepositions, Always on the march. Like a horde of soldier ants, Inching bravely forward on the slimmest chance That they might better their positions. Busy, busy prepositions.

JACK: In the air, on the ground, everywhere.

BOB: The sun sank lower in the west. "In the west it sank."

JACK: And it will rise in the morning, And will bring the light of day;

BOB: We say the sun comes up in the east every day!

JACK: "In the east it rises."

BOB: Busy prepositions, Busy, busy, busy!

JACK: On the top is where you are!

BOB: On the top.

JACK: If you try you know that you can fly!

BOB: Fly where?

JACK: Over the rainbow.

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